Smart Energy Council member Decon Corporation is working with nbn on a solar sleeve designed to generate renewable energy from existing telecommunications infrastructure and improve the resilience of fixed wireless sites during power outages.
The solution is being tested on a live nbn Fixed Wireless site at New Gisborne in Victoria’s Macedon Ranges. Lightweight, flexible solar laminate panels wrap around the north-facing side of the site’s monopole, allowing it to generate power without substantially adding to the tower’s structural load.
Decon developed the solar sleeve system, battery storage system and mounting solution at its manufacturing headquarters in Scoresby, Victoria. Its patented mounting technology is designed to allow solar laminate panels to be fitted to existing monopoles in a way that could be repeated at other sites.
Early results from the month-long proof-of-concept trial indicate the system can generate the equivalent of up to 40 per cent of the site’s total power demand during daylight hours, depending on weather conditions. Together with battery storage and other energy-saving features, the solar sleeve is designed to help equipped sites operate for up to 12 hours during a mains power outage. That could help maintain connectivity for nearby communities when grid power is disrupted.
The trial brings together Australian manufacturing, renewable energy technology and telecommunications expertise to explore a new use for infrastructure already in place. nbn will continue evaluating the system’s performance and opportunities for future deployment.
Read nbn’s full media statement
Media Contact:
Jesse Falk
National Business & Communications Manager
Decon Corporation Pty Ltd
JesseFalk@deconcorp.com.au
ENDS
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