Calibration, testing and monitoring of space solar cells

Space Microgrids for Future Manned Lunar Bases: A Review

“…However, the almost null atmosphere of the Moon (technically considered an exosphere) along with its weak magnetic field allows space debris, micro-meteorites to reach the lunar surface and also ultraviolet irradiation, nuclei/ion particle radiation and galactic cosmic rays to reach the PV cells resulting in cells degradation. Besides, conditions as vacuum, extreme temperature cycles, and electrostatic fields contribute to the degradation of PV cells [33]. Deep temperature cycles results in the lifetime reduction of the PV connectors due to the thermal stress.…”

Modeling of Solar Cells and Environmental Conditions for Space Microgrids

“…However, the hostile environment of space, which features intense particle radiation, ultra-violet photons, deep temperature cycles and vacuum, electrostatic fields, micro-meteorites, space debris for the terrestrial orbits, etc. , can heavily degrade the PV modules while reducing quickly their lifetime [20,21]. The degradation due to particle radiation of PV cells is of especial interest for scientists and manufacturers given the deep damage and reduction of the cells' lifetime.…”

“…However, due to the absence of an atmosphere and magnetosphere, other kind of drawbacks come into play. Namely, impacts of micro-meteorites, highly energetic photons, and energetic nuclei particles, deep temperature cycles and vacuum, and electrostatic fields, to name a few [21,76]. Even though all these issues degrade the PV cells, a special interest has been observed for the radiation-induced degradation due to the heavy damage induced to the solar cells, which depends on the type of particle, energy, flux, fluence, material of the cell, temperature, light intensity, etc.…”

“…The space-age started in the 1950s with the use of PV technology to supply energy into space missions [21]. However, two factors are usually taken into account not only for deciding the sort of generation technology, but also the characteristics of the devices.…”

“…Firstly, the relative distance to the Sun, since it has been shown that the PV-technology is feasible for Jupiter's orbits at longest given that the light intensity is inversely proportional to the distance square [20]. Secondly, the environment, since outer space features extreme conditions such as very low temperatures and deep thermal cycles, micro-meteorites, GCRs, UV radiation, extremely low vacuum, electrostatic fields, lunar dust (for the case of the Moon), space debris (for terrestrial orbits), and highly energetic ion/nuclei particles [21]. Indeed, the degradation due to particle radiation of PV cells is usually considered so severe than it is one of the major concerns of researchers and manufacturers of the space sector.…”