A recent review article published in the journal Micromachines comprehensively explored the impact of mechanical vibration on the output power and efficiency of a satellite solar panel with a three-plate structure. The researchers aimed to analyze the panel's dynamic response and electrical characteristics under different vibration conditions using simulations and experiments.
Image Credit: Gorodenkoff/Shutterstock.com
Background
Solar panels are widely used as a renewable energy source for various applications, including power plants, vehicles, satellites, and drones. They convert sunlight into electrical energy using photovoltaic (PV) cells. The performance of PV cells depends on factors such as solar irradiance, temperature, shading, and angle of incidence. Previous studies have shown that these factors can affect PV cells' output current, voltage, power, and fill factor. However, the impact of mechanical vibration on PV cells, especially in satellite applications, has not been well studied.
Satellite solar panels are typically large, flexible, and external structures exposed to uncertain forces and unbalanced conditions in space. These factors can cause vibrations that degrade their performance. Therefore, understanding solar panels' dynamic response and electrical output under mechanical vibration is crucial.
About the Review
In this paper, the authors analyzed the mechanical oscillation characteristics and power generation quality of a satellite solar panel with a three-plate structure. They used numerical simulation software to model the solar panel's behavior under different vibration frequencies and angles. They conducted experimental verification using a PV testing platform and a motion mechanism to simulate the panel's vibrations.
The researchers selected three-plate structure-based solar panels commonly found on satellites. They modeled the three plates as elastic rectangular thin plates connected by micro-torsion springs, assuming a uniform load, and calculated each plate's deflection and rotation angle. They simplified the three-plate model to a single plate for resonant frequency analysis.
The study employed an equivalent circuit and a mathematical model to describe PV cell output under different irradiance and temperature conditions. It also considered the Kelly cosine relationship between output current and angle of incidence, which deviates from the standard cosine law when the angle exceeds 55°. A simulation model for a single solar panel was built in MATLAB/Simulink and verified with experimental data.
Finally, the single solar panel model formed a series solar cell array, representing the three-plate structure. The authors utilized each plate's average rotation angle and vibration frequency under different uniform loads as input into the simulation model to determine the solar panel's output characteristics under specific vibration conditions.
Findings
The outcomes showed that mechanical vibration significantly affected the output power and efficiency of the solar panel. The output power curve exhibited multiple local extremes under vibration, complicating the maximum power point tracking (MPPT) algorithm.
The maximum output power and the fill factor decreased as the vibration angle increased. The maximum output power reduction was 5.53% at a vibration frequency of 0.3754 Hz and a deflection angle of 74.9871°. Under the same conditions, the fill factor declined from 0.8031 to 0.7587, indicating a significant decrease in overall energy conversion efficiency.
The study also found that vibration frequency fluctuated with maximum output power. Power loss decreased as frequency increased in the high-frequency range but not in the low-frequency range. This phenomenon was attributed to the solar panel's resonance at a low frequency of 0.3754 Hz.
Applications
This research is important for optimizing spacecraft power systems and other PV module applications. The study identified performance improvement indices after structural stabilization by examining solar array power generation and evaluating parameters affected by vibration. It also provides a reference for developing robust MPPT algorithms under vibration. It offers a general method for analyzing PV system output under mechanical vibration, applicable to scenarios like ground-based systems subject to wind or earthquakes.
Conclusion
The review summarized that mechanical vibration significantly influenced the output characteristics of satellite solar panels, with the effect depending on vibration frequency and angle. Experimental results validated the accuracy and feasibility of the numerical simulation model. The authors provided insights for optimizing spacecraft PV systems and offered a general method for analyzing PV systems under vibration. They acknowledged that the assumption of a uniform load and a simplified solar panel model limited their study.
Due to spacecraft motion and operation, the solar panel might experience more complex and variable forces in actual scenarios. Therefore, further research is needed to address these challenges and comprehensively evaluate the performance of solar panels under mechanical vibration conditions.
Disclaimer: The views expressed here are those of the author expressed in their private capacity and do not necessarily represent the views of AZoM.com Limited T/A AZoNetwork the owner and operator of this website. This disclaimer forms part of the Terms and conditions of use of this website.
Source:
Shen, X.; Wu, Y.; Yuan, Q.; He, J.; Zhou, C.; Shen, J. Characteristic Study of a Typical Satellite Solar Panel under Mechanical Vibrations. Micromachines 2024, 15, 996. DOI: 10.3390/mi15080996, https://www.mdpi.com/2072-666X/15/8/996