Digicel Pacific installs a hybrid solar-diesel DC power system for its wireless network serving Papua New Guinea

(12/02/2010)

South Pacific wireless operator Digicel Pacific has installed a hybrid solar-diesel DC power system based on Eltek Valere's Flatpack2 HE Solar Charger to build out its wireless network serving Papua New Guinea (PNG).

Digicel Pacific implemented a 35-tower high capacity microwave backbone and basestation network to provide more bandwidth for its mobile phone customers on the island. But the rugged terrain of PNG, one of the least explored areas in the world, meant that many of those sites were in areas not served by grid power.

Initially, Digicel Pacific deployed battery-powered network equipment with diesel generators to charge the batteries. These generators ran continuously but only at an efficiency of only 20 percent of load and were fed by monthly helicopter fuel runs, translating to a cost of US$6 per kWh.

With the hybrid-solar solution, Digicel installed photovoltaic cells in addition to the generators and was able to reduce generator hours to four per day and boost efficiency to 80%-90% of load which reduced costs to about US$1 per kWh.

An integral part of the solution was an Eltek Valere DC power system that converted both solar and generator power into 48V DC for the load. The Eltek Valere solution is composed of the Flatpack2 HE Solar Charger and the Flatpack2 rectifier. The Smartpack Controller manages the entire system, monitoring battery power levels and input voltage levels from the solar system and switching between the solar system and the diesel gen-set. The Smartpack features also include advance battery monitoring routines, as well as gen-set optimization programs and considerable data logging options.

“Digicel Pacific faced a unique challenge in building a network across a country with topography as difficult as Papua New Guinea,” said Kenneth Bodahl, Managing Director of Asia Pacific for Eltek Valere. “Rather than fight the environment, we were able to provide them with a flexible power solution that enabled them to both expand their network while cutting costs dramatically.”

The Flatpack2 HE Solar Charger connects to four to six solar panels and converts the solar power into controlled 48VDC for supply to telecom equipment. The solar charger is based on Eltek Valere’s industry-leading High Efficiency (HE) technology, which delivers more than 96% AC-DC power conversion efficiency.

Related categories:  Solar power and photovoltaics