Smart Solar Panels for Space Applications

The Photovoltaic (PV) Solar Panels are the key technology for the generation of electric energy in space environment. In order to maximize the efficiency of the PV solar panels, two aspects of this technology can be improved: keeping the solar panels surface orthogonal to the direction of the Sun light and cleaned from the deposition of dusts and other contaminants that can absorb a quota of the incoming solar irradiance. The present paper reports the preliminary design of a system of Smart Solar Panels (SSPs) that represents an improvement of PV solar panels aimed to be implemented specifically in space environment. To maximize the produced energy of a solar panel, it has to be kept oriented toward the Sun and with its sensitive surface very clean, without the presence of contaminants. In order to obtain this goal in an autonomous way, the solar panels shall be provided with robotic functionalities to move the panels according to the relative movement of the Sun and to remove the contaminants deposited on the surface as well. Combination of these two functionalities and the adopted solutions, aimed expressly for space application, are the novelty of this work. The SSPs find their application in fixed solar power plant or mobile installation (e.g. lander and rovers) for the exploration of Solar System bodies, primarily the Moon and Mars, but have also a positive impact for terrestrial sites located in desert or mountain areas, where maintenance operations are difficult. The concept has been submitted to the “call for ideas” for the ESA European Large Logistics Lander (EL3).