Solar Mars Power Plant

Could solar power power a mission to Mars?

(Artwork credit: Davian Ho) The high efficiency, light weight and flexibility of the latest solar cell technology means photovoltaics could provide all the power needed for an extended mission to Mars, or even a permanent settlement there, according to a new analysis by scientists at the University of California, Berkeley.

Could photovoltaics power Mars?

According to new research by scientists at the University of California, Berkeley, the high efficiency, lightweight, and flexibility of the current solar cell technology means photovoltaics could provide all the electricity needed for a protracted expedition to Mars, or even for a permanent settlement on the Red Planet.

How will solar power work on Mars?

The goal is to have a reliable operating power source in place before astronauts ever step foot on the surface of Mars. That means solar array designs will need to fit compactly into a single cargo launch, have the capability to deploy robotically on the surface, and begin producing power soon after landing.

Will there be a power plant on Mars?

Whether it’s for creating oxygen, driving rovers, providing heat and light, or communications, future Mars residents will need a constant supply of electricity to keep them safe and keep the mission running. There’s no power grid on Mars though, and current solutions can only take us so far. So what will the first off-planet power plant look like?

Why is solar energy important for Mars surface missions?

Solar energy is an important source of power for Mars surface missions. We utilize the output of a 1D radiative transfer algorithm to investigate the optimal orientation of static, tilted solar panels across the planet and compare their available energy to that of sun-tracking panels.

Can a solar power system run on Mars?

Through the 2018 Breakthrough, Innovative, and Game-changing (BIG) Idea Challenge, NASA is enlisting university students in its quest for efficient, reliable and cost-effective solar power systems that can operate on Mars both day and night. The teams will have until November to submit their proposals.