The energy-generating capability of a satellite power system can be permanently damaged by a momentary shadowing of its solar array. When an individual cell in a string of solar cells becomes shadowed, the shadowed cell can become reverse biased. Further more, any cells in parallel with the shadowed cell become reverse biased as well. Reverse biased solar cells can sustain permanent short circuit failure, permament power output loss, and excessive localized heating. Any of these events will have a detrimental effect on the power output loss, and excessive localized heating. Any of these events will have a detrimental effect on the power system. The design of the power system has a direct bearing on the degree to which a cell can become reverse biased. The potential for shadowing must be considered when designing the power system and solar array configuration. Safeguards can be implemented in the power system to protect the system in the event of shadowing. This paper reviews the solar cell reverse biasing phenomenon, explores the parameters that affect reverse biasing of shadowed solar cells, and examines power system design features which can minimize the detrimental effects of shadowing.
Solar cell reverse biasing and power system design
Solarzellen mit Sperrvorspannung und Konstruktion des Antriebssystems
IECEC, 23rd Intersociety Energy Conversion Engineering Conf., ASME ; 3 , Aug ; 43-47
1988
5 Seiten, 6 Bilder, 4 Quellen
Conference paper
English
Investigation of the reverse biasing of solar cells in a space array
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