Novel method for the in situ measurement of the temperature of a satellite's solar panel

A novel temperature sensor suitable for continuous monitoring of the health of a solar photovoltaic (PV) panel that powers an earth bound satellite is presented in this work. The method proposed here employs one of the photovoltaic cells of the panel itself as the sensor for measuring the solar panel's temperature. In order to make the sensor work even when the panel is not receiving sunlight, that PV cell being used as a temperature sensor is lit with a white light emitting diode. The novel temperature sensor thus realized, replaces the platinum resistance temperature (PRT or SPRT) probes used in a conventional solar panel temperature measurement system. Results obtained from a prototype temperature measurement unit built and tested establish the efficacy of the proposed method. It is clearly established that the proffered method is capable of reliable measurement of a solar panel's temperature in the range -150 °C to +150°C. © 2013 IEEE.