Abstract: To predict the working temperature and distribution of flexible solar panels on spacecraft in orbit, an analysis of the thermal environment experienced by the solar wings in outer space was conducted. The variation of heat flow on the front and back of the flexible substrate with the orbital period was calculated. Two typical power generation conditions of the solar cell array-optimal operating point and open circuit state, were considered, and the working temperature of the solar cells and flexible substrate was calculated using the finite element method to study the periodic temperature variations with the orbit. A comparison was made with telemetry data from the space station to validate the accuracy of the model and calculation method. The influence of the thermal-physical performance of various functional areas on the temperature distribution of flexible solar panels was studied by comparing the results under two conditions. The findings indicate that the disparity in absorptivity between the solar cells and substrate could lead to notable temperature gradients at the bonding edges of the flexible substrate, which is a crucial factor that could induce thermal deformation in the flexible substrate.

Key words: flexible solar panels, thermal flow loads, typical power generation conditions, finite element analysis, temperature gradient