Strain transmission mechanism of space solar cells

Space solar cells are critical components of aerospace energy systems. The strain they experience is primarily transmitted from the solar array substrate through the adhesive layer. Accurately characterizing the strain transfer from the substrate to the cell is crucial for understanding the mechanical resistance performance of space solar cells. This paper establishes a theoretical model for strain transfer in space solar cells based on shear-lag theory. It provides data for both uniform and typical non-uniform strain fields and theoretically examines the strain transmission mechanism in space solar cells. The model’s validity was confirmed through ANSYS finite element analysis and physical experiments, demonstrating the correctness of the theoretical model. The study also investigates how the physical and geometric characteristics of space solar cells impact the strain transfer rate, offering a theoretical basis for their design.