I’m not gonna explain my entire process, but here’s the basics:
Standard
The current solar array we already have
Fixed:
Pros
-Lighter, more efficient, and cheap
Cons
-Cannot be retracted once deployed (or are totally immobile except for rotation)
-Starts off “stowed” which is folded up against the craft but all individual panels are extended (the entire thing swings out in one motion)
-Easier to break off
Hinged:
Pros
-Able to rotate
-Able to tilt up and down perpendicular to rotation axis (basically tracking the sun on 2 axes)
Cons
-Heavier and slightly less efficient
Circular:
Pros
-Looks cool AF
-Works better in lower lighting (like on a surface where the atmosphere absorbs some light)
-Much more efficient
-Sturdier
Cons
-Heavy, bulky, and expensive
Hybrid:
Pros
-Can deploy, retract, track the sun on 2 axes, and is slightly more efficient (and maybe has a very small built-in battery)
Cons
-Super expensive, heavy, doesn’t work well in low light, heats up quickly