Title :
Mitigation techniques for arcing on space solar panels-results from ISRO
Author :
Puthanveettil, S.E. ; Sankaran, M. ; Gupta, S.B.
Author_Institution :
Solar Panel Div., ISRO Satellite Centre, Bangalore, India
fDate :
Sept. 28 2014-Oct. 3 2014
Abstract :
Space solar panels are prone to differential charging between solar cell coverglass and the interconnect between solar cells, resulting in primary arcs lasting for microseconds which are mostly harmless by themselves. However, if the arcs are fed by the power from the illuminated solar array, they can have serious consequences like burning and shorting of the array elements resulting in power loss. ISRO Satellite Centre has used various techniques like increasing the gap between strings and grouting of the solar array to mitigate the effect of arcs. This paper gives the results obtained in the tests carried out by ISRO on the effectiveness of these techniques and compares the results with the results obtained by others working in the field.
Keywords :
arcs (electric); solar cell arrays; solar power satellites; ISRO Satellite Centre; arcs effect mitigation; differential charging; illuminated solar array; mitigation techniques; solar array; solar cell coverglass; space solar panels; Arrays; Electrostatic discharges; Low earth orbit satellites; Photovoltaic cells; Plasmas; Threshold voltage;
Conference_Titel :
Discharges and Electrical Insulation in Vacuum (ISDEIV), 2014 International Symposium on
Conference_Location :
Mumbai
Print_ISBN :
978-1-4799-6750-6
DOI :
10.1109/DEIV.2014.6961779