Van Allen belt radiation causes rapid degradation of solar panel efficiency
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Peer-reviewed literature demonstrates that high radiation levels in the Van Allen radiation belts cause significant cell degradation and damage to satellite solar panels and electronic components.
This study evaluates the enduring performance of silicon solar cells aboard the 2014-launched CubeSat, PolyITAN-1. Despite lower efficiency, cost-effectiveness and reliability were prioritized for the satellite's energy requirements. Ground tests indicated a 24 % efficiency and 7W capacity. In space, telemetry data revealed individual solar panel capacities of 1-1.5W, totaling 8-9W. High radiation levels in the inner Van Allen Belt caused cell degradation, aligning with modeling predictions of up to 70 % reduction in the first two years, stabilizing at 20–30 % thereafter. Contrary to predictions, some cells exhibited less than 10% degradation during first years, credited to advanced technology incorporating a back-surface field and reflector structure and high-carrier-lifetime silicon wafers. The PolyITAN-1 mission showcases CubeSats as cost-effective space access for education and research, with the chosen solar cells demonstrating remarkable resilience to open-space challenges.
This study aims to analyze the effects of high-energy electrons, which are cosmic radiation, on satellite parts. In general, a satellite revolving at a low altitude passes through the Van Allen belt. In the belt, electronic parts of the satellite are damaged and their life is shortened by charged particles drifting toward the south pole and the north pole through cyclic movement. In particular, SEU (single event upset) by radiation causes the malfunction of semiconductor elements in satellites. The present study irradiated an electron beam on solar cells using a 1 MeV electron beam accelerator and measured the values of parameters changed by the irradiation. In addition, we made comparative analysis with ground experiment using variation in short circuit current measured at solar cells for the attitude control of STSAT-1 and electron flux observed in the NOAA POES Satellite. The results of this study are expected to be useful in understanding the impact of radiation on solar cells for power generation in low altitude satellites.
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