Community-based solar power revenue alternative to improve sustainability of a rural wireless mesh network
Carlos Rey-Moreno, Zukile Roro, William David Tucker, Masbulele Jay Siya · 2013
Given needs for a clean and easy way to maintain and secure powering rural wireless networks and to generate revenue to guarantee the sustainability of its intended goals, an approach to leverage solar power to address both needs simultaneously is presented herein. Results comprise empowered locals trained to ensure local maintenance and appropriation; local usage and maintenance data; and a costing of the solution and its maintenance after a year of operation. It is shown that the solution presented can be locally maintained and provide additional revenue for a rural wireless network to continue providing intended communication goals.