Abstract: Solar panel assembly comprising a number of rectangular panels each carrying solar cells on one of the two main surfaces, said panels being interconnected by mutually parallel hinges such that the assembly from a first state, in which the panels are folded zigzag wise into a package, can be brought into a second state in which the package is unfolded and the panels are situated alongside each other in one plane. In the unfolded state each panel is curved in a direction parallel to the panel edges to which said hinges are attached.

Abstract: A panel assembly includes a number of rectangular panels each carrying solar cells or a cooling radiator on one of the two main surfaces, where the panels are interconnected mutually by hinges such that the assembly from a first state, in which the panels are folded into a package, can be brought into a second state in which the package is unfolded and the panels are situated alongside each other. A torsion element substantially extends across the other main surface of each panel from a first position on the hinge axis between the panel and the adjoining panel at one side, to a second position on the hinge axis between the panel and the adjoining panel at the other side, whereby the torsion element at or near the first and second positions is attached to the respective adjoining panel.