Photovoltaic power system operation in the Mars environment

Conference · Sun Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1989

OSTI ID:5657774

Appelbaum, J; Flood, D J

Detailed information on the environmental conditions on Mars are very desirable for the design of photovoltaic systems for establishing outposts on the Martian surface. The variation of solar insolation (global, direct, and diffuse) at the Viking lander's locations is addressed. It can be used, to a first approximation, for other latitudes. The radiation data is based on measured optical depth of the Martian atmosphere derived from images taken of the sun with a special diode on the Viking cameras; and computation based on multiple wavelength and multiple scattering of the solar radiation. The data are used to make estimates of photovoltaic system power, area and mass for a surface power system using regenerative fuel cells for storage and nighttime operation.

• Research Organization: National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Cleveland, OH (USA). Lewis Research Center
• OSTI ID: 5657774
• Report Number(s): N-89-24529; NASA-TM--102075; E--4740; NAS--1.15:102075; CONF-890815--
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
140600* -- Solar Energy-- Photovoltaic Power Systems
ATMOSPHERES
DESIGN
DIRECT ENERGY CONVERTERS
DUSTS
ELECTRIC GENERATORS
ELECTROCHEMICAL CELLS
ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT
ENERGY STORAGE
EQUIPMENT
INSOLATION
MARS PLANET
PHOTOELECTRIC CELLS
PHOTOVOLTAIC CELLS
PHOTOVOLTAIC POWER SUPPLIES
PLANETARY ATMOSPHERES
PLANETS
POWER SUPPLIES
RADIATIONS
SOLAR CELLS
SOLAR EQUIPMENT
SOLAR RADIATION
STELLAR RADIATION
STORAGE