A Novel Space-Based Testbed for Solar Cell Characterisation

Space solar cells face extreme conditions in orbit. While modern solar simulators have reduced the need for in-orbit testing, nanosatellites have revived interest in such experiments due to their ability to provide rapid, cost-effective access to diverse orbital environments. These missions enable studies on degradation mechanisms and long-term stability and allow new solar cell technologies to demonstrate their space performance for commercial validation. However, nanosatellite-based experiments are often limited by data quantity, measurement accuracy, and restricted operational time. This thesis presents the design, testing, and successful in-orbit operation of a compact, high-precision solar cell testbed developed for nanosatellites. The system was realised as a secondary payload on the EIVE nanosatellite, designed within tight power, mass, and data constraints. Test samples, provided by AZUR SPACE, included metal-wrap-through triple-junction and standard quadruple-junction cells. An enhanced MOSFET-based electronic load with current-feedback and p-control circuitry ensured high-fidelity IV-curve acquisition. In-orbit results gathered during the entire EIVE mission are presented and analysed to demonstrate the performance of the developed instrument.