Powering a gateway off-the-grid using a solar panel: the Kerlink solution
When you’re in remote rural locations, with no access to electricity, connectivity can become a real challenge. How do you power your IoT gateways in such conditions?
Tapping Solar Energy
Powering a gateway with a solar panel has big benefits, including no power supply costs. But the necessity of deploying it in harsh weather environments or isolated structures can raise questions about the feasibility of the technique. At Kerlink, we’ve solved this problem with a weather-proof converter that accepts input voltages from 12V to 24V – specifically designed to power our Wirnet iStation.
Unlike the usual wiring methods for solar panels that require the use of a cable fitting to connect an Ethernet cable or power over Ethernet (POE) to the iStation’s Ethernet socket, our solution relies on an accessory to the USB connector, that Kerlink supplies. This approach allows for greater energy efficiency in the converter, then a longer power autonomy for the gateway.
Kerlink iStation, top, installed on the roof of a water tank in Brittany, France,
by Wi6Labs. With no access to a power supply, the gateway operates 24/7 with solar power.
The Kerlink Advantage
The main advantage of our solution is its versatility. You can now place your iStation equipped with solar panels and accessories (battery and charge controller) in any remote corner of the world. You no longer have to worry about the availability of a power source.
Our solution can adapt to any level of sunlight, as it can be used with any type of solar panel that is sized to meet the sunlight requirements of the location.
Not only is this an extremely practical solution, it also offers considerable environmental benefits. By reducing your dependence on traditionally generated electricity, you’re reducing your carbon footprint and helping to protect our planet!
Wi6Labs’ Success
The Brittany-based French company, Wi6Labs, develops solutions for an efficient and sustainable Internet of Things based on deployment of private LPWAN networks. It focuses on using elevated structures to install and connect Kerlink iStations. Water towers are ideal sites for deploying this type of equipment because there are few obstructions to IoT connectivity. However, access to energy on these sites and the installation constraints imposed by the owners of these structures require the company to take an innovative approach to installing Kerlink gateways on them.
“Our solution relies on photovoltaics: iStation gateways are commonly powered by solar panels, but we are sometimes faced with complicated operating conditions in our region. Thanks to the right sizing of the solar power supply and the robustness of the installations, we are able to operate our Kerlink gateways 24/7, whatever the conditions, while limiting the need for on-site maintenance. All the equipment deployed at 18 Brittany sites has stood up perfectly to storms.”
Ulrich Rousseau, CEO, Wi6Labs
Quality and Customer Satisfaction Come First
At Kerlink, our commitment to product quality and customer satisfaction is unwavering. For our gateways, we’ve applied state-of-the-art engineering to bring you a robust and efficient solution, designed to work in the harshest environmental conditions.
With Kerlink, you’re choosing a trusted partner committed to meeting your connectivity needs. Whether for industrial, agricultural or environmental applications, our iStation solar solution is the key to staying connected, no matter where you are.