Optimizing the Power Supply of a Macro BS Connected to a PV Panel and the Power Grid

The use of solar energy to power base stations of cellular networks is becoming increasingly interesting, in both areas where the power grid is not present or not reliable, and areas where the power grid is ubiquitous and reliable, but energy costs are increasing. In this paper, we investigate the optimal dimensioning of the photovoltaic panel and energy storage of a hybrid base station powering system that can exploit both solar energy and power grid energy. The objective of the optimization is the total capital and operational expenditures over a period of 20 years. Results show that in Torino, a hybrid base station powering system allows significant cost saving with respect to the case of no solar energy, and about 20% cost saving with respect to the case of solar energy only.