The effects of martian and lunar dust on solar panel efficiency and a proposed solution

Javad Shahmoradi, Austin Maxwell, Summer Little, Quincy Bradfield, Sayavur Bakhtiyarov, Pedram Roghanchi, Mostafa Hassanalian

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

8 Scopus citations

Abstract

Solar cells have been used in many space instruments to provide their required energy. Rovers and space drones are examples of these devices that are mainly relied on solar panels. Applying the solar-powered systems like rovers or drones in deep space environments like Mars or Moon has many challenges. Radiation is one of the main factors in determining the efficiency of the Photovoltaic cell. Dust is one of the main factors that decrease the irradiance of the Photovoltaic cells. For the robotic systems that are working on Martian and lunar environments, dust is the main factor that reduces their efficiency. In this paper, the effects of the Martian and lunar soil on the efficiency of a solar panel are investigated experimentally. For different layers of Martian and lunar dust on the solar panel, the output voltage, current, and power are measured and will be shown that these values are decreasing with different slopes.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationAIAA Scitech 2020 Forum
DOIs
StatePublished - 2020
EventAIAA Scitech Forum, 2020 - Orlando, United States
Duration: Jan 6 2020Jan 10 2020

Publication series

NameAIAA Scitech 2020 Forum
Volume1 PartF

Conference

ConferenceAIAA Scitech Forum, 2020
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityOrlando
Period1/6/201/10/20

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2020, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics Inc, AIAA. All rights reserved.

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Aerospace Engineering

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