Thermal characterization of hybrid photovoltaic module for the conversion of sunlight into microwave in Solar Power Satellite

This paper describes thermal design and analysis of a hybrid photovoltaic module for the conversion of sunlight into microwave that is used in Tethered-Solar Power Satellite. A practical configuration of the hybrid module was designed and the relationship between module structure and temperature profile under the operation in geostationary orbit was investigated by simulation in comparison with the conventional space photovoltaic module. To obtain realistic analysis model in which practical thermal resistance is considered, thermal-vacuum test using a prototype hybrid module was conducted. The simulation result shows that contact thermal resistance of the hybrid module is small and hybrid structure can reduce the thermal stress risk.