Simulation of solar cells utilization on the surface of Mars

Results concerning the simulation of solar cells operation on Mars surface are reported in this article. PV arrays based on silicon and gallium arsenide solar cells are analyzed under the assumption of both ideal and present state-of-the-art technology. Measurements performed by the Viking Landers are used as inputs. They refer to ambient temperature, wind speed and the optical depth of the Martian atmosphere. The incoming global solar radiation flux (direct, diffuse and ground reflected) is computed by using a model previously proposed by the author. A thermodynamic model of solar cell is developed. Simulations were performed for both Viking Landers 1 and 2 sites during all the four Martian seasons. Information about the optimum voltage and cell temperature is provided as well as details about the electric power supply and cell efficiency. Different sorts of stationary and tracking solar cells arrays are studied. The PV efficiency is obviously higher than that obtained under terrestrial conditions due to the lower ambient temperature on Mars. One confirms that the low operating temperatures will reduce the advantage in efficiency of GaAs salar cells over silicon. The strategy to be chosen for maximum power supply mainly depends on the atmospheric optical depth. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.