ENTEL Bolivia microwave network powered by photovoltaic/diesel hybrid power systems

Northern Power Systems (NPS) supplied fourteen photovoltaic/diesel hybrid power systems to the Bolivian national telecommunications company, ENTEL. These power systems were supplied under contract with AT&T World Services, the prime contractor for the microwave link. The author describes the basic design philosophy, components and hardware configurations, training issues, and experiences with installation and commissioning. The use of photovoltaic/diesel hybrid power systems for this remote microwave project has proved to be economical and technologically successful. The major obstacles to the project were experienced not with the hybrid system technology but in the logistics and material handling portions of the project.<>