On-Orbit Performance Degradation Prediction and Physical Properties Evaluation of Triple-Junction InGaP₂/InGaAs/Ge Solar Cells

The current work analyzes the on-orbit performance degradation and physical properties of triple-junction InGaP₂/InGaAs/Ge solar cells based on the Gaofen-3 (GF-3) satellite in low-earth orbit (LEO) with long-term shading and standard conditions. From a long-term perspective of 7 years, the temperature range of the solar array with shading is −60.9°C to +119.9°C, while the temperature range of the solar array with the same design and without shading is +48.5°C to +102.3°C. After calibrating the illumination angle, operating temperature, and sun–earth distance, the performance degradation of the solar cell array under long-term shading and standard conditions is comparatively analyzed. The annual degradation coefficients calculated for the solar array under shading and standard conditions are 0.980251 and 0.998199, respectively, which means that at the end of the satellite’s 8-year life, the current degradation of the solar array with shading and standard working conditions is 14.75% and 1.43%, respectively. If the mission time is extended to 15 years, the on-orbit performance degradation of the solar array under shading and standard conditions will be 25.86% and 2.67%, respectively. This work thus provides a reference for the design of subsequent satellite solar arrays.