100% Solar-Powered Farm Site Helps Bridge the Digital Divide in Malaysia

Huawei's site energy solutions are helping REDtone build solar-powered green farm sites. By adopting the iSolar solar-storage collaborative solution, these sites utilize local resources, converting abundant sunlight into clean energy to provide reliable power for the sites.

Globally, compared to densely populated urban areas, remote regions with sparse populations are usually the last to receive telecommunications network coverage. This time lag and accumulation contribute significantly to the digital divide. In Malaysia, the "National Digital Network Plan" was launched to provide connectivity to remote areas and help bridge this digital gap.

The Rajang River is the longest river in Sarawak, located in southeastern Malaysia. Scattered along its banks are many villages where traditional lifestyles are still preserved, and network coverage will help them stay connected to the outside world. REDtone, a participant in the "National Digital Network Plan," faces the challenge of building communication sites in many areas without grid power.

In the past, REDtone relied on diesel generators to power these sites, but the drawbacks of this traditional solution have become increasingly apparent. According to the company, diesel-powered sites require an average of two refueling visits per month, leading to high energy expenses and labor costs. Additionally, Malaysia's equatorial location brings year-round heat and heavy rains, and during the rainy season, remote areas often experience flooding or road collapses, making refueling and maintenance even more challenging. These factors ultimately affect the stable operation of the sites and the user experience, with room for improvement in power reliability.

Against this backdrop, Huawei's site energy solutions have supported REDtone in building solar-powered green farm sites. Previously dependent on diesel generators, these sites were transformed using the iSolar solar-storage collaborative solution, enabling them to harness the abundant sunlight as clean energy to provide reliable power. The new solution has kept the site power systems running efficiently and stably, achieving the following results:

● 100% Green Power: Using the solar-storage coordination algorithm, the battery dynamically charges and discharges based on photovoltaic power generation and load consumption, storing excess power in smart lithium batteries with zero energy waste. Solar energy becomes the primary power source for the sites. At sites with favorable sunlight conditions, 100% solar power is achieved, resulting in zero carbon emissions.

● Ultra-low Energy OPEX: Solar power replaces fuel as the main energy source for the sites, reducing or even eliminating the need for refueling, cutting energy costs (OPEX) by over 90% on average.

● High Power Reliability:The new solution not only reduces fuel expenses but also increases the uptime of the site power systems to 99.5%, significantly improving reliability compared to the diesel generator era.

● "Zero" On-Site Maintenance: Maintenance personnel can monitor the operation of power supplies, solar panels, and batteries in real-time through the intelligent management platform NetEco, enabling remote maintenance instead of on-site visits, and proactive maintenance instead of reactive responses. The previous two monthly on-site visits have been reduced to zero, significantly enhancing the operational experience.

Today, the 100% solar-powered green sites shine along the Rajang River, bringing a new level of connectivity to Malaysia's rural network and allowing the people living in these areas to integrate more smoothly into modern life. With a focus on technology for good, Huawei and Malaysia's REDtone are working together to create ubiquitous green connectivity, helping to bridge the digital divide.