China Mobile has established the world's largest solar energy-powered base station cluster in Tibet, Xinhua reports.

 

following a four-year construction.

By the end of April, the operator – China’s largest telco – had set up at least 1,000 base stations in Tibet, with 79% powered by solar energy. The ratio is expected to top 90% by the end of 2010, said Dai Zhong, China Mobile’s Tibet general manager.

 

The company began the project in 2005 to take advantage of Tibet's solar resources and in the absence of reliable grid power supply.

 

Another executive, Yang Shimao, said that a common base station may consume 3,600 kWh of electricity each year, costing 43,200 yuan ($5,230).

 

Xinhua said solar energy-powered base stations in Tibet could also provide a launchpad for enterprises using photovoltaic technology and related products.

 

Separately, Chinese vendor Huawei has sold a solar-powered mobile base station to Grameenphone – the first in Bangladesh. The savings in fuel consumption and operating cost will offset GP’s capital investment in two to three years, Huawei sad.