Solar Power World

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A special solar panel tester for Thales Alenia Space, the leading developer of satellites and components for space technology, has recently been developed by the Pasan company. The new device simulates the characteristics of the sun in space very accurately. This cliams to guarantee that only the most productive panels are put into operation to supply the satellites with energy, thus ensuring the longevity of the satellites. Terrestrial customers also benefit from the newly developed advanced technology, since expertise from the project is employed directly in the development of new products – in particular in the area of thin-film technology.

With the new technology from Pasan, Thales Alenia Space tests the productivity of solar panels which are designed to supply satellites in space with the energy they require. Highly accurate tests guarantee long-term, smooth operation of the expensive satellites, which have an average life of between ten and fifteen years. With efficiency levels of around 40%, the solar panels in space have to have a significantly higher output than conventional panels. Even small reductions in the output of the solar panels can prevent the satellites from functioning properly long-term, which can lead to large losses for the operators.

Thales Alenia Space usually tests the output of reference panels with the help of a balloon at a height of about 10,000 m. With Pasan’s new tester Thales now can simulate the sun’s spectrum in space very accurately. This means that whole series of panels can be tested very reliably on the ground. In its satellites Thales Alenia Space uses solar panels with so-called triple solar cells, which are composed of three cells from different semi-conductors stacked one on top of the other. Testing the special high-performance solar cells in conditions similar to those in space requires a tester which is above-average in terms of both homogenity and spectrum. This is where Pasan has developed a new, unique solution which can also be used for conventional thin-film applications. This way many other customers can benefit from this high-tech development project.

3S Industries AG