Space solar panels for small satellites

Modular panel solutions developed at CNEA for CubeSat and SmallSat missions, from electrical sizing through integration and verification.

The platform combines high-efficiency III–V triple-junction cells with mission-specific mechanical and electrical interfaces. Standard configurations provide a practical starting point, while each implementation is adapted to the satellite architecture and qualification plan.

Laboratory CubeSat platform with a front solar panel and side boards — **CubeSat platform**End-to-end electrical and mechanical integration

SmallSat solar panel on a honeycomb composite structural substrate — **SmallSat panel on a honeycomb composite substrate**Structural solution for small satellites

SmallSat solar panel mounted on a satellite platform — **Mounted SmallSat panel**Integration on a satellite platform

Configurable platform

From power requirement to integrated hardware

Standard formats

1U, 2U, 3U and 6U

Fixed or deployable configurations for CubeSat faces, with scalable series and parallel electrical layouts.

Integrated functions

Power and sensing

Temperature measurement, coarse sun sensing, redundant power connections and analog or SPI interfaces.

Mechanical integration

PCB and structural substrates

Integration on PCB, aluminum or CFRP honeycomb structures according to mission requirements.

Verification

Electrical and environmental testing

Visual inspection, electroluminescence, AM0 current–voltage characterization and high-vacuum testing, with qualification activities defined for each mission.

Technical services

Support for every mission stage

The scope is tailored to the project maturity, from early assessment through integration and the verification campaign.

Power sizing

Generation and margin estimates based on orbit, attitude, eclipses, consumption and the operational concept.

Panel architecture

Cell selection, series/parallel configuration, substrate, interconnects and distribution across available faces.

Integration and consulting

Review of mechanical and electrical interfaces, sensing, harnessing, thermal constraints and satellite compatibility.

Verification planning

Definition of inspections and electrical and environmental tests, with acceptance criteria traceable to mission requirements.

Updates and news

Validation under representative conditions

Instrumented CubeSat panel mounted on the shaker for vibration testing — Test setup

Data-acquisition display and shaker equipment during the vibration test — Data acquisition

Active side of the CubeSat panel mounted and instrumented during vibration testing — Panel under test

Team test campaign

Vibration (shaker) test

During the campaign, a CubeSat panel instrumented with accelerometers was mounted on the shaker. The test characterizes its dynamic response and verifies the assembly's mechanical integrity under representative launch loads.

Technology maturityTRL 7 · advancing toward TRL 8

Development environmentCNEA · Departamento Energía Solar

Discuss a mission requirement