Technical Economic Analysis of Photovoltaic Systems in Heterogeneous Mobile Networks

Abstract

Abstract: Mobile telecommunications operators are having to deal with an unprecedented increase in energy consumption due to the installa- tion of heterogeneous mobile networks (HetNets), which are based on the deployment of macrocells and simultaneous use of large numbers of small cells. Although it has an efficient energy strategy, HetNets leads to a considerable increase in the consumption of energy, owing to its densification, because the importance of Backhaul is often overlooked. The use of renewable sources of energy is suggested as a means of overcoming this problem, since it entails diversifying the energy matrix and reducing the volume of CO 2 emissions in the environment, as well as being economically viable. Thus, the aim of this study is to make a techno-economic assessment of the acquisition and installation of photovoltaic systems within HetNets, while taking account of the combined energy consumption of radio networks, fronthaul and backhaul. On the basis of the results, there was clear evidence of its financial viabil- ity with regard to the adoption of the photovoltaic framework, as well as the environmental sustainability ensured by a considerable reduction in CO 2 emissions.