Solar Array¶

The solar array asset represents mounted power-generation hardware. It derives its pose from a parent asset, computes Sun incidence, and estimates instantaneous input power.

Role in ASTROLAB¶

Workflow	Solar array role
Power analysis	Provides generated solar power.
Visualization	Represents mounted panel orientation.
Sun geometry	Computes panel normal, Sun direction, and incidence angle.

Power Flow¶

flowchart TD
    P["Parent pose"] --> M["Mounting"]
    M --> O["Fixed or Sun-Tracking pointing"]
    O --> N["Panel normal"]
    N --> C["cos(incidence)"]
    C --> W["solar_flux * area * efficiency * cos"]

Main Parameters¶

Field	Meaning
`parent_guid`	Parent asset, usually spacecraft.
`mounting`	Nominal panel orientation.
`pointing_type`	`Fixed` or `Sun-Tracking`.
`use_sadm`	Enables single-axis drive mechanism behaviour.
`sadm_axis`	SADM rotation axis.
`area`	Panel area in m2.
`efficiency`	Electrical conversion efficiency.
`default_solar_flux_w_m2`	Default solar flux if no external value is supplied.

Generation Model¶

P = solar_flux * area * efficiency * cos(incidence)

Power Analysis may additionally apply eclipse logic and solar flux mode before using the solar array output.