Analysis of electrical performance comparative measurements for electrical health check of solar arrays based on triple-junction solar cells

The electrical health of solar arrays is verified by different tests. Solar array electrical performance tests are grouped in two categories, either requiring accurate or comparative results. Accurate electrical performance is performed with LAPSS and comparative electrical performance can be performed also with Mini-flasher test equipments. Mini-flasher tests have provided very valuable data on the health of several ESA satellite solar arrays with single junction solar cells. With the advent of the triple-junction solar cells, the same test principle of the mini-flasher is applicable. This paper presents test set-up requirements and measurement reproducibility. Analysis of results of LAPSS and Mini-flasher solar array measurements are provided.