Hi Rick,

I can not use any available kits. Bunch of reasons.

For power plant it will be:
(a) Solar panels – I tried 3 types - http://download.siliconexpert.com/pdfs/2009/5/10/7/25/59/pwrflm_/manual/297774%20oem%20flysheet_p1.pdf
Then http://ixapps.ixys.com/DataSheet/20110302-KXOB22-12X1-DATA-SHEET.pdf
then monocrystalline http://www.siliconsolar.com/2500ma-1-38w-commercial-solar-cell.html
Triply junction is not available for me now – but everybody tells me that is a best choice.

Question is (my question) which one will be better performed on a orbit – I am interesting in a particular case – how they will be deteorate under solar wind at least on a low earth orbit. I do not have such information for those solar panels – looks like I’ll have to place all of them on CubeSat to check performance against charged particles.

Solar panels in my case has to be combined to get 3.5-4 Volts – then I’ll use voltage regulator http://cds.linear.com/docs/Datasheet/1761sff.pdf to get 2.5 volts – I tried different regulators – this one has low switch-off current and require additional tantalum capacitor. It is 100ma output current.

Then super capacitor http://products.nichicon.co.jp/en/pdf/XJA046/e-jc692.pdf main energy storage. Or: http://media.digikey.com/pdf/Data%20Sheets/Nesscap%20URL%20links/ESHSR-(0003,0005,0010,0025,0050)C0-002R7pdf.pdf . I did not made final choice – second one is better for temperature range, (in a case of second capacitor needs to use 2.7 V voltage regulator same type). If temperature will be high then 85 – then capacitors still perform, but life-time shrinks.

Capacitors will be inside compartment – it is not a compartment truly speaking – epoxy/carbon shell with another epoxy as a sealant and thermal conductor. Voltage regulator will be inside compartment – Quiescent current 20mka will help to fight low temperature. Layer of gold (gold leafs) will protect form high temperature external. Amount of layer will be determined by experiments in vacuum chamber.

(b) each solar panel split to a groups with 4V - 100ma capacity (I did not find suitable voltage regulator with high current but this is advantage not disadvantage). Grid of voltage regulators connects each group to capacitors. Control of a grid performs by http://ww1.microchip.com/downloads/en/DeviceDoc/41341E.pdf it monitors voltage on individual group and capacitors and switch-on/off desired regulator to charge capacitors evenly. PIC16f72x can perform that task autonomously with transferring performance results to a central storage unit (backup computer)
(c) - unknown / no tested part is a bust-up voltage – I did not choose/ tested any suitable – (http://www.micrel.com/_PDF/mic2250.pdf http://ww1.microchip.com/downloads/en/DeviceDoc/21989a.pdf http://www.analog.com/static/imported-files/Data_Sheets/ADP3041.pdf
     http://cds.linear.com/docs/Datasheet/1945fa.pdf some of them does not has correct temperature range, some of them does not has correct output current, some does not have low shutdown current). For bust I need 3.3V 5V, and 12/9V. 3.3V can be 100ma (power for microprocessors), 5V -1 amp pick 1 sec, and for 12/9V needs to have 1.5amp (backup communication) pick 2 sec. For main communication module 1WT transmission – I do not have requirements yet.

(d) – grid boost-up regulators connects of capacitors from one side and then distributed to a power suckers – (1) backup/main storage/camera unit processor(first power level) (2) all another processors unit (second level of power consumption). (3) orientation system, (4) transmitters/receivers. Looks like distribution can work be controlled by same power control unit. If it will be not enough pins on PIC16F72x then may be I’ll put another power’s plant control unit – for controlling distribution – but I did not made decision yet. Gathering power control unit will have two powers – one based on six  http://www.clare.com/home/pdfs.nsf/0/4EC381FBC6760F3585256E6900649D38/$file/CPC1822.pdf for power consumption 1mka, and then power plant charged at least one capacitor d it will switch to use power from that capacitor.

(e) all capacitors discharged at launch – simple shot cut resistor grid combined with remove-before-flight tag will do CubeSat requirements job. Six CPC1822N (for power plant) will be also shot cut by CubeSat switch. No power until deployment as it specs.

That all what I have today for a power plant.

Regards,
Alex Dobrianski.