Solar array development for the surface of mars

Nick Mardesich, Stephan Dawson, Don Rapp, Brian R. Spence, Steve F. White, Paul Sharps, Dan Aiken, Kenneth Edmondson, Richard R. King

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

5 Scopus citations

Abstract

JPL's missions to Mars have revealed factors that have an adverse impact on the performance of Mars Surface Solar Arrays. These factors include a spectrum shift toward the red wavelengths, atmospheric scattering and absorption and accumulation of Mars surface dust on arrays. All of these factors will reduce the power generated from state of the art triple junction solar cells designed for Earth orbiting satellites. This paper will report the results of JPL-supported work conducted by US solar array manufacturers to increase the performance of solar arrays for future Mars surface missions. JPL awarded four vendors contracts to evaluate methods of improving power generation on the surface of Mars. These four contracts cover the redesign of the existing triple junction solar cell, modifying solar simulator output to match the Mars surface spectrum and techniques to control or remove dust from the surface of the arrays. The methodology and results of this evaluation will be presented in this paper.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationProceddings of the 3rd World Conference on Photovoltaic Energy Conversion
EditorsK. Kurokawa, L.L. Kazmerski, B. McNeils, M. Yamaguchi, C. Wronski
Pages789-792
Number of pages4
StatePublished - 2003
Externally publishedYes
EventProceddings of the 3rd World Conference on Photovoltaic Energy Conversion - Osaka, Japan
Duration: May 11 2003May 18 2003

Publication series

NameProceedings of the 3rd World Conference on Photovoltaic Energy Conversion
VolumeA

Other

OtherProceddings of the 3rd World Conference on Photovoltaic Energy Conversion
Country/TerritoryJapan
CityOsaka
Period5/11/035/18/03

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Engineering

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