Solar sleeves turn telecommunications towers into renewable power generators

Decon Corporation, an Australian infrastructure services company specializing in telecommunications network design, electrical contracting, and clean energy technology, has completed the first month of a proof-of-concept trial of its lightweight, flexible solar laminate panels wrapped around the north facing side of a 40-meter-high nbn Fixed Wireless monopole.

The trial allows renewable energy generation to be integrated into an existing site with minimal impact on structural loading and aims to demonstrate how installing onsite solar generation to power fixed wireless towers can help improve network reliability and resilience while reducing energy demand.

Combined with existing battery storage and other energy saving features, the bendable solar laminate solution is designed to run sites equipped with the solar sleeve solution for up to 12 hours during a power outage, and maintain connectivity for nearby customers.

Early results indicate the system can generate the equivalent of up to 40% of the site’s total power demand during daylight hours, depending on weather conditions.

Decon Corporation Chief Executive Officer Brett Matheson said a key differentiator of the solution is Decon’s patented mounting technology, which enables solar laminate systems to be integrated onto existing monopoles in a practical, scalable and repeatable way.

Nbn Chief Technology Officer Guy Scott said the solar sleeve trial is an important initiative for the company.

“Through our partnership with Decon, we’re also demonstrating how local innovation, paired with the latest in renewable technology can help strengthen Australia’s connectivity and resilience,” Scott said.

“The initial trial demonstrated the potential of the curved solar solution in reducing our overall carbon footprint through more solar and batteries.”

“Now we’ve moved into the operational phase and believe this solution could help improve the resiliency of the nbn network by keeping selected fixed wireless sites online during mains related outages, keeping local communities connected during times of need.”

Scott added the company is inspired to look at innovative ways to utilise its existing infrastructure to generate renewable energy.

nbn will continue to evaluate the performance of this integrated renewable energy solution and explore additional opportunities to strengthen network resilience through the deployment of innovative energy solutions.

The solution is installed on a live nbn fixed wireless site at New Gisborne in Victoria’s Macedon Ranges, located approximately 60 kilometres northwest of Melbourne.

The post appeared first on pv magazine Global.