Research Article
Modelling of a Solar Photovoltaic Power Supply for a Wireless Access Point in a Rural Area
@INPROCEEDINGS{10.1007/978-3-031-81570-6_8, author={Thomas Djotio Ndi\^{e} and Alphonse Tabu\^{e} Kamga and Karl Jonas}, title={Modelling of a Solar Photovoltaic Power Supply for a Wireless Access Point in a Rural Area}, proceedings={Towards new e-Infrastructure and e-Services for Developing Countries. 15th International Conference, AFRICOMM 2023, Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso, November 23--25, 2023, Proceedings, Part I}, proceedings_a={AFRICOMM}, year={2025}, month={2}, keywords={wireless access point photovoltaic generator MPPT DC-DC converter series Pertub\&Observ algorithm}, doi={10.1007/978-3-031-81570-6_8} }- Thomas Djotio Ndié
Alphonse Tabué Kamga
Karl Jonas
Year: 2025
Modelling of a Solar Photovoltaic Power Supply for a Wireless Access Point in a Rural Area
AFRICOMM
Springer
DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-81570-6_8
Abstract
The digital divide remains a major concern for rural areas in developing countries in general and for sub-Saharan Africa in particular. It is particularly characterized by the unavailability of energy resources on which the functioning and operation of network connectivity infrastructure depends. The constraints of availability of electrical energy, coupled with the difficulty of access, make it difficult to implement relevant and sustainable digital solutions in these hard-to-reach areas. We propose in this article, a model for solar photovoltaic power generation that allows for autonomous and continuous operation of a wireless access point (WAP) in areas where access to electrical power is difficult. Our approach first consists of designing the system and mathematically modeling the photovoltaic solar panel and the BUCK series chopper, as well as the P&O type MPPT control for the solar panel’ maximum power point tracking. Finally, we simulate the operation of the system for appreciating its behavior in a possible real situation. For this final point, before the simulation process, we realized the system’s global diagram consisted of the solar generator, adaptation stage (provided with the MPPT control of type P&O) and battery park. This simulation allowed us to study the behavior of the system in normal conditions but also in particular conditions reflecting the environment in which it will be deployed. The results of the simulation are satisfactory and allowed us to validate the model we proposed. We have successfully designed a solar photovoltaic power supply for the WiABox 2507 that takes into account all its energy constraints.
