On the Economic Viability of Solar Energy When Upgrading Cellular Networks

The massive increase of data traffic, the widespread proliferation wireless applications and full-scale deployment 5G IoT, imply a steep in cellular networks energy use, resulting significant carbon footprint. This paper presents comprehensive model to show interaction between networking features problem study economical technical viability green networking. Solar equipment, cell zooming, management dynamic user allocation are considered upgrading network planning process. We propose mixed-integer optimization minimize long-term capital costs operational expenditures heterogeneous on-grid with different types base station, including solar. Based on eight scenarios where realistic solar panels, batteries, inverters were considered, we first found that stations currently not economically interesting for operators. next studied impact progressive tax reducing greenhouse gas emissions (GHG). that, at current equipment prices, ten-fold value is only element could make viable.