Eltek Valere announced a new solar converter that makes solar power aneven more viable option for remote wireless cell sites or broadbandtelecom applications. The company’s new Flatpack2 HE Solar deliversunrivaled performance in terms of energy efficiency, heat loss, solarpanel utilization, lightning/surge protection, modularity andreliability.

Four to six solar panels are connected to eachFlatpack2 HE Solar converter, which converts the solar power intocontrolled 48VDC for supply to telecom equipment. The centre of thesolution is the advanced Smartpack monitoring and control unit thatoptimizes the system with regard to battery performance, networkmanagement, diesel consumption on hybrid sites as well as controllingadditional Flatpack2 HE rectifiers where applicable.

The poweroutput from solar panels varies depending on time of the day, shadingeffects, weather conditions and seasonal position of the sun. Atraditional ‘direct feed’ telecom system typically only utilizes 70% ofthe panel’s available power output and does not provide isolationbetween the panels and the telecom equipment.

To reach 100%panel utilization, the Flatpack2 HE Solar converter features maximumpower point tracking (MPPT) technology to generate maximum power fromthe solar panels under all conditions. The converter regularly scansthe panels to ensure peak output during changing conditions.

Thesolar charger is based on Eltek Valere’s High Efficiency (HE)technology, which delivers 96 percent power conversion efficiencyacross the whole load range. This is the highest power efficiency todayand cuts the power conversion losses in half compared to conventionaltechnology –- finally making solar power a green and profitablealternative for the future of communications.

“The features,intelligence and efficiency that we’ve built into the Flatpack2 HESolar converter makes solar solutions ‘telecom-ready’ and eliminatesthe obstacles that have kept carriers from rolling it out in theirnetworks. The solution provides an unrivaled technical and commercialsolution to expand communication to areas without access to reliablecommercial power,” said Morten Schoyen, Eltek Valere chief marketingofficer. “We’ve been able to leverage our exclusive HE technology andother key features to help solar power deliver for carriers.”

TheFlatpack2 HE Solar converter is suitable for all telecom applicationsin both autonomous (solar only) or hybrid solar power applications. Theconverter integrates with Flatpack2 rectifier systems in combinationwith the advanced Smartpack monitoring and control unit in a uniquesolution managing the power from all different sources, such as solar,grid and generator.

Galvanic isolation between solar panels and batteries/telecom equipment provides high level of surge protection and reliability.

TheFlatpack2 HE Solar converter and corresponding solutions have alreadybeen supplied to several carriers and are available from Eltek Valere’sworldwide sales force and offices.