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Two years of on-orbit gallium arsenide performance from the LIPS solar cell panel experimentThe LIPS on-orbit performance of the gallium arsenide panel experiment was analyzed from flight operation telemetry data. Algorithms were developed to calculate the daily maximum power and associated solar array parameters by two independent methods. The first technique utilizes a least mean square polynomial fit to the power curve obtained with intensity and temperature corrected currents and voltages; whereas, the second incorporates an empirical expression for fill factor based on an open circuit voltage and the calculated series resistance. Maximum power, fill factor, open circuit voltage, short circuit current and series resistance of the solar cell array are examined as a function of flight time. Trends are analyzed with respect to possible mechanisms which may affect successive periods of output power during 2 years of flight operation. Degradation factors responsible for the on-orbit performance characteristics of gallium arsenide are discussed in relation to the calculated solar cell parameters. Performance trends and the potential degradation mechanisms are correlated with existing laboratory and flight data on both gallium arsenide and silicon solar cells for similar environments.
Document ID
19860008392
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Francis, R. W.
(Aerospace Corp. Los Angeles, CA, United States)
Betz, F. E.
(Naval Research Lab. Washington, D.C., United States)
Date Acquired
August 12, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 1985
Publication Information
Publication: NASA. Lewis Research Center Space Photovoltaic Research and Technology 1985
Subject Category
Energy Production And Conversion
Accession Number
86N17862
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.
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