Solar radiation on Mars - Tracking photovoltaic array | Zendy

J. Appelbaum | Zendy; Dennis J. Flood | Zendy; M. Crutchik | Zendy

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Solar radiation on Mars - Tracking photovoltaic array

Author(s) -

J. Appelbaum,

Dennis J. Flood,

M. Crutchik

Publication year - 1996

Publication title -

journal of propulsion and power

Language(s) - English

Resource type - Journals

SCImago Journal Rank - 0.913

H-Index - 101

eISSN - 1533-3876

pISSN - 0748-4658

DOI - 10.2514/3.24044

Subject(s) - photovoltaic system , mars exploration program , aerospace engineering , radiation , environmental science , tracking (education) , materials science , astrobiology , optics , physics , engineering , electrical engineering , psychology , pedagogy

A photovoltaic power source for surface-based operation on Mars can offer many advantages. Detailed information on solar radiation characteristics on Mars and the insolation on various types of collector surfaces are necessary for effective design of future planned photovoltaic systems. In this article we have presented analytical expressions for solar radiation calculation and solar radiation data for single axis (of various types) and two axis tracking surfaces and compared the insulation to horizontal and inclined surfaces. For clear skies (low atmospheric dust load) tracking surfaces resulted in higher insolation than stationary surfaces, whereas for highly dusty atmospheres, the difference is small. The insolation on the different types of stationary and tracking surfaces depend on latitude, season and optical depth of the atmosphere, and the duration of system operation. These insolations have to be compared for each mission.

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