Effect of particle size of Martian dust on the degradation of photovoltaic cell performance

Conference · Tue Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1991

OSTI ID:5916127

Gaier, J R; Perez-davis, M E

Glass coverglass and SiO2 covered and uncovered silicon photovoltaic (PV) cells were subjected to conditions simulating a Mars dust storm, using the Martian Surface Wind Tunnel, to assess the effect of particle size on the performance of PV cells in the Martian environment. The dust used was an artificial mineral of the approximate elemental composition of Martian soil, which was sorted into four different size ranges. Samples were tested both initially clean and initially dusted. The samples were exposed to clear and dust laden winds, wind velocities varying from 23 to 116 m/s, and attack angles from 0 to 90 deg. It was found that transmittance through the coverglass approximates the power produced by a dusty PV cell. Occultation by the dust was found to dominate the performance degradation for wind velocities below 50 m/s, whereas abrasion dominates the degradation at wind velocities above 85 m/s. Occultation is most severe at 0 deg (parallel to the wind), is less pronounced from 22.5 to 67.5 deg, and is somewhat larger at 90 deg (perpendicular to the wind). Abrasion is negligible at 0 deg, and increases to a maximum at 90 deg. Occultation is more of a problem with small particles, whereas large particles (unless they are agglomerates) cause more abrasion.

• Research Organization: National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Cleveland, OH (United States). Lewis Research Center
• OSTI ID: 5916127
• Report Number(s): N-92-11133; NASA-TM--105232; E--6556; NAS--1.15:105232; CONF-920429--
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
140501* -- Solar Energy Conversion-- Photovoltaic Conversion
ABRASION
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION
COATINGS
COSMIC DUST
DIRECT ENERGY CONVERTERS
DUSTS
EQUIPMENT
GLASS
MARS PLANET
PARTICLE SIZE
PERFORMANCE
PHOTOELECTRIC CELLS
PHOTOVOLTAIC CELLS
PLANETS
PROTECTIVE COATINGS
SILICON SOLAR CELLS
SIMULATION
SIZE
SOLAR CELLS
SOLAR EQUIPMENT
WIND