Integrating distributed photovoltaic and energy storage in 5G networks for sustainable IoT applications

The rapid growth of the Internet of Things (IoT) has led to an exponential increase in connected devices, creating significant challenges for the energy efficiency of 5G networks. These networks, essential for supporting massive Machine Type Communications (mMTC), currently face energy consumption issues that can be five to ten times higher than traditional networks, resulting in increased carbon emissions and operational costs. This paper explores the integration of distributed photovoltaic (PV) systems and energy storage solutions to optimize energy management in 5G base stations. By utilizing IoT characteristics, we propose a dual-layer modeling algorithm that maximizes carbon efficiency and return on investment while ensuring service quality. Through simulation analyses, we identify potential technical challenges and provide practical solutions to enhance the sustainability of IoT device connectivity within 5G networks. This research contributes to the development of green communication strategies, addressing both energy supply and demand dynamics, and highlights the role of renewable energy sources in future network designs to mitigate environmental impacts while supporting the growing IoT ecosystem.