Satellites - Power Source: Solar Panels

Solar panels must be constantly exposed to light to produce electricity
Click here to learn how solar panels work
Solar panels are only effective if they will be receiving lots of sunlight
Solar panels consist of many individual solar cells
Each individual cell does not produce large amounts of electricity by itself
Large surface area is needed in order to produce maximum electricity
The need for large solar panels must be balanced with the need for the entire satellite to be relatively small
Solar panels can be mounted on the body of the satellite

If the body is not large enough for the amount of solar panels needed, the panels may be extended in arrays off to the side of the satellite

Solar panels will not "run down" like a battery (completely renewable)
Solar panels can be used together with a battery, which recharges when the satellite is in the sun and provides the satellite's power when the satellite is not
They are excellent for satellites studying the sun or the planets orbiting close to the sun
They cannot be used easily for space exploration satellites going deep into space because they will travel too far from the sun to receive sufficient power
They are moderately efficient and moderately expensive

Produced by Galactics.
Comments: galactics@spacesim.org.
Last updated on: 8 August 1997.