Solar Panels
The Solar Panels are what power our satellite while it's in sunlight. The following are its respective GitHub Repos:
- https://github.com/CalgaryToSpace/CTS-Solar-Panel-Load-Tester
- https://github.com/CalgaryToSpace/CTS-SAT-1-Solar-Panels
===== Powering the Solar Panels =====
The EPS uses maximum power point tracking (MPPT) to operate the solar panels at their maximum power point. The maximum power point is determined by a P-V (power-voltage) graph.
Photo credit: https://www.mouser.ca/applications/solar-panel-power-tracking/
Each COTS solar panel has two power connectors, each with a power pin and a ground pin (4 pins total). They each connect to an 8-pin MPPT connector on the EPS. To facilitate connection, each wire from the solar panel connector will diverge into two wires.
As of September 2024, further consideration is needed to ensure the our in-house solar panels and our COTS solar panels can connect to the EPS.