Martian Energy System Design Considerations

Solar energy, being both sustainable and abundant, is a viable candidate as a long-term energy source to power a Martian settlement. On Earth, photovoltaic systems have been proven to be reliable and effective, particularly when paired with energy storage, and the design techniques are well understood. However, Mars presents unique challenges that must be better understood, and which necessitate a nuanced approach. The Martian environment is significantly more complex and dynamic. This paper presents various design factors that must be considered if PV systems are to power future Mars settlements.