Photovoltaics and TLC [telecommunication power supplies]

The authors describe the basic nature of photovoltaic (PV) systems, the reason for PV growth in telecommunications applications and the trends of photovoltaic evolution. The development of both components and systems is discussed. Economic aspects of the use and choice of solar systems are presented by evaluating markets, equipment cost trends, and system cost variations due to different site and environment data and also to the possible system policy approaches. Topics concerning the current economic position of PV systems with respect to other power sources are included. Finally, the most important advantages of `power mix´ are described by taking hybrid power systems into consideration