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T-Mobile USA Turns to the Sun for Cell Tower Power

Article Comments  13  

Sep 24, 2010, 7:15 AM   by Eric M. Zeman

T-Mobile USA has switched a cell tower in the town of Chalfont, Penn., from standard electricity to solar power with the addition of solar panels. T-Mobile says that the solar panels are enough to take the cell tower off the grid (no need for standard electricity). The panels generate enough power that it is able to occasionally feed power back to the electrical grid. T-Mobile didn't elaborate on how much electricity the solar panels generate, but claimed it to be the first solar powered-cell tower in the U.S.

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Mark_S

Sep 27, 2010, 10:40 AM

Yes and no

Florida, Arizona, New-Mexico, Nevada, Utah, Western-Texas would most benefit from this.
Other states that experience frequent blackouts as well. As long as the auxillary batteries kick in correctly.
island-guy

Sep 24, 2010, 1:07 PM

New disclaimer

In the event of inclement weather, solar eclipse, or calls at night, you may experience less than desirable signal degradation.....all kidding aside, these probably jump back on to the grid at night because if I'm not mistaken cell towers really get higher usage towards dusk and into the night. Good idea for the day time though.....this could be a way for wireless providers to increase their bottom line by selling electricity back..
I would imagine the solar panels charge batteries during the day that run the tower overnight. Otherwise everyone's satellite TV service would go out every night because the satellites in orbit would lose the direct sunlight exposure.
...
wdfichtel

Sep 24, 2010, 9:23 AM

This is a very nice move forward

I'm curious if the same principles could be sued to combine a cell tower with a wind turbine. Two tall structures in one - it would be benificial for those of us in more rural areas where the turbine would put plenty of extra power into the grid.
It seems like cell towers don't require very much power.
Then we would never have service. Most of those windmills are seldom working. There always has to be reserve back up (coal or natural gas) to support these so 2 power systems must be built (Windmills to feel good, and coal/natural gas to actually pro...
(continues)
...
Slammer

Sep 24, 2010, 10:40 AM

New Excuses.

Boss:
"Why were you late and why didn't you call me?. This doesn't look good on your work record."

Employee:
"Sorry Sir. I tried calling but the sun refused to shine through the heavy cloud cover and I couldn't get through because the tower was dead."


😁 😳
Lol, I'm pretty sure that they have backups on there.
ecycled

Sep 24, 2010, 9:06 AM

You know who needs this...

New York Town Passes Law to Curb Cell Tower Construction
Today, 7:27 AM by Eric M. Zeman

The town of Hempstead, N.Y.,




🤣
That wouldn't help, it is the towers they object to so simply adding some solar panels, which would take more physical space outside the towers would probably not help.
 
 
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