Experimental feasibility study of concentrating photovoltaic power system for cubesat applications

Abstract

The ability to produce sufficient power is an important factor in assuring the success of the challenging and complex cube satellite (CubeSat) missions within an extremely small size. A CubeSat has only a limited surface area on which solar panels can be installed to generate power. The incidence angle of sunlight on the solar panels also varies according to the revolution and rotation of the satellite. These are important parameters for determining the amount of power that a CubeSat can generate. In this study, we propose a concentrating photovoltaic system for CubeSats that enhances the efficiency of power generation by effectively concentrating the solar energy on the solar panels by using a multi-array lens system under the worst condition for sun incidence angle. The feasibility of using the concentrating photovoltaic system for CubeSat applications is demonstrated by power measurement tests using a solar simulator and a commercial multi-array lens under various light source angles.