Abstract: A solar cell regulator in a nanosatellite includes a pulse width modulated DC-DC boost converter and a peak power tracking controller for converting solar cell power to bus power for charging of system batteries and powering loads while the controller controls the pulse width modulation operation of the converter for sensing solar cell currents and voltages along a power characteristic curve of the solar cell for peak power tracking, for determining any power data point, including a peak power point, an open circuit voltage point, and a short circuit current point along the power characteristic curve of the solar cell, and for communicating the power data to a satellite processor for monitoring the performance of the solar cell during operational use of the satellite.

Abstract: A flexible inflatable hinge includes curable resin for rigidly positioning panels of solar cells about the hinge in which wrap around contacts and flex circuits are disposed for routing power from the solar cells to the power bus further used for grounding the hinge. An indium tin oxide and magnesium fluoride coating is used to prevent static discharge while being transparent to ultraviolet light that cures the embedded resin after deployment for rigidizing the inflatable hinge.

Abstract: A wrap around contact is disposed on the edge of a solar cell panel for providing electrical connections between a thin film solar cell contact and electrical conductors in a flex circuit for routing electrical energy produced by the solar cells to a power bus. The wrap around contact wraps around an edge of a solar cell on top of which is the solar cell contact. Under the solar cell, power bus conductor traces are laser welded to the wrap around contract so as to connect the flex circuit power bus to the silver contact of the thin film solar cell.