Large-scale Solar Array Research Articles

Assessing the potential toxicity of hazardous material released from Pb-based perovskite solar cells to crop plants

Perovskite solar cells are of interest to the solar power industry because of their comparatively low cost and simple manufacturing process. Large-scale solar arrays are typically located near arable land. However, limited data on the toxicity of perovskite compounds are currently available. This study investigated the effect of potentially hazardous chemicals from Pb-based perovskite solar cells on two crop plants (mungbean and sorghum). The direct exposure of a single chemical (PbI2) in soil media was simulated, a plant soil assay was conducted, and phytotoxicity was subsequently evaluated. After 21 days of exposure, toxicity symptoms in plant growth and physiological responses were observed. The results show that plant root and shoot growth and photosynthetic capacity all remarkably decreased by chemical exposure. Both Pb and I were found to be associated with toxicity symptoms. The reactions of these crop plants to PbI2 exposure indicate the potential phytotoxicity of leachable compounds from Pb-based perovskite solar cells; further, the results obtained in this study will contribute to the assessment of risks associated with the use of these cells in large-scale commercial solar arrays.

Design and Analysis of Active Speed-Limit Mechanism for Large-Scale Spatial Solar Array

The multidimensional deployment of large-scale spatial solar arrays has been the basis for high-power advanced spacecraft and a symbol of the leaps forward in aerospace technology. Activated and passive drives have often been used in combination to implement the driving mechanism of large-scale solar arrays, which can reduce the impact of the deployment and locking process. For the first time, a novel active speed-limit mechanism was introduced into the two-dimensional secondary deployable drive system of a large-scale spatial solar array, achieving a balance between large deployable driving torque and small locking impact load. A highly integrated and lightweight drive system has been designed, integrating motor drive, gear drive, and adaptive torque limiting device to achieve adaptive control of the deployment torque of the solar array. A dynamic simulation system for the entire process of a large-scale spatial solar array based on the Kane method and ADAMS model has been established. A two-dimensional secondary deployable motion control law for a large-scale solar array using an active speed-limit mechanism has been established, and the dynamic characteristic parameters of the active speed-limit driving mechanism have been determined, such as driving torque, driving mode, and driving speed. The results can be used to guide the design of the deployable driving mechanism for large-scale spatial solar arrays.

Cymatics inspired self-cleaning mechanism for solar panels

The photovoltaic modules are usually installed on the ground which exposes it to surface deposition of foreign particles. In the Middle East and North Africa region, the primary culprit is dust and sand. They form an insulating and opaque layer on the surface of the glass, which obstructs its heat transfer and optical properties, thereby reducing the overall yield efficiency of the solar panel. Cleaning of this layer is critical to the operation of the solar panel and often requires great effort and energy on a large-scale solar array. In this paper, we propose a novel self-cleaning mechanism for solar panels, with an understanding of the structural integrity of the Photovoltaic laminate and application of external mechanical vibration. By applying an external source of vibration, the solar panels vibrate, excites its fundamental frequencies and cleans by its own. The method is analyzed using finite element analysis method and tested using experiments. Our simulation results based on IEC 61215 show that the maximum principal stress and deformation in the critical layers is within limits. Our experimental results prove the proposed theory is feasible and can be extended to large scale solar arrays. Our proposed method is retrofittable and could save money, energy and effort in cleaning the solar arrays, which can replace current techniques.

Design and Dynamics of Large-scale Solar Arrays with Inflatable Mast

Design and Dynamics of Large-scale Solar Arrays with Inflatable Mast

Guidance and Robust Pulse-width Control of an Information Satellite at Initial, Service and Emergency Modes

AbstractProblems of nonlinear modelling, dynamic analysis and simulation of spatial motion by a spacecraft with a flexible weak damping structure, are considered. The obtained results on a multi-rate filtering measurements and a pulse-width control of the jet engines’ thrust, simulation of attitude motion for the communication satellite with large-scale solar array panels at modes of initial damping, guidance on the Sun and on the Earth, are presented. Attitude motion of a flexible spacecraft at pulse-width control, spin-up rotors of six single-gimbal control moment gyros (gyrodines) and at the emergency mode, is considered. Results on analysis of the spacecraft nutation and flexible oscillations are represented.

Guidance and Robust Pulse-width Control of an Information Satellite at Initial Modes

AbstractProblems of nonlinear modelling, dynamic analysis and simulation of spatial motion by a spacecraft with a flexible weak damping structure, are considered. The obtained results on a multi-rate filtering measurements and a pulse-width control of the jet engines' thrust, simulation of attitude motion for the communication satellite with large-scale solar array panels at modes of initial damping, guidance on the Sun and on the Earth, are presented. Attitude motion of a flexible spacecraft at pulse-width control and spin-up rotors of six single-gimbal control moment gyros (gyrodines), is considered. Results on analysis of the spacecraft nutation and flexible oscillations, and also guidelines according to a logic in sequence of the gyrodine's rotors spin-up, are represented.