Powered by solar energy
Solar panel frames on an off-grid Land Mobile Radio site
Across the globe, solar energy is helping individuals and businesses fuel vehicles, heat buildings, and run factories. However, solar energy is also relied upon by many of the communications infrastructure that supports emergency services.
The same is true for the new Land Mobile Radio (LMR) Network being built by Tait Systems New Zealand (TSNZ) as part of the new Public Safety Network (PSN) being delivered by Next Generation Critical Communications (NGCC).
The PSN requires communication solutions for emergency responders in both urban centres and remote corners of the country, places where access to the traditional power grid is limited or nonexistent. These remote off-grid LMR sites call for the use of solar energy solutions to power them.
Each remote off-grid LMR site uses a carefully engineered solar setup that includes:
High-efficiency solar panels
Power conversion equipment to convert the direct current produced by solar panels into usable energy
Batteries for energy storage and backup
A diesel-powered generator for backup support.
This multi-layered setup ensures that each site can remain operational in all weather conditions, be it prolonged rain, dense cloud cover, or multi-day storms. If solar generation drops due to a lack of sunlight, the backup generator automatically kicks in to maintain the power supply.
Each off-grid site is also equipped with remote monitoring systems, allowing TSNZ engineers to monitor power generation, battery health, and fuel levels for backup systems.
Solar panels on an off-grid Land Mobile Radio site
Reliable power is fundamental for resilient communication. By using solar energy, sites can continue to operate during national disasters or wide-area power outages. The use of solar power also reduces challenges related to fuel supply, enabling a more sustainable and lower-risk solution for powering critical communications.
The solar energy element is just one of the components that will make the new LMR network a reliable and robust communications network. Once the network is complete and the PSN goes live, emergency responders nationwide will have a digital communications network they can rely on, whether they are operating in city streets or far-flung rural areas.