Photovoltaic/regenerative fuel cell system performance for Mars surface

It is suggested that the next step in space exploration is a mission to Mars. Due to the length of travel time to Mars the visit time will be of the order of days or months. A duration length that is not conducive to power systems such as primary fuel cells or batteries. Power systems for Mars will have to have an element of power generation. The candidate systems are photovoltaic with regenerative fuel cells (PV/RFC) and nuclear. This paper evaluates candidate PV array designs in conjunction with a candidate RFC storage system. The analysis is done in two steps. First several array designs (flat, tent, single axis tracked and two axis tracked) are analyzed to predict their performance on the Martian surface. Next these designs are coupled with RFC storage for a system model. The PV/RFC system designs are then optimized for minimum mass by trading off energy generation, PV, for energy storage, RFC. The optimization technique is based on methods used for optimizing terrestrial systems. This paper ties together several studies to provide a more detailed analysis of Mars PV system performance and Mars PV/RFC system mass. From the results of this analysis, the performance benefit of several different array designs have been quantified and an optimum design approach identified. The next logical step would be to quantify the other characteristics (cost, operation, installation, maintenance) of the array designs so that a life cycle cost evaluation and selection can be made