DIFFERENT STRATEGIES FOR MAXIMUM SOLAR-RADIATION COLLECTION ON MARS SURFACE

This paper deals with the optimum slope and orientation of a surface r eceiving solar radiation on the Mars surface (Northern hemisphere). A model to evaluate direct, diffuse and global irradiance on arbitrary t ilted surfaces is developed. Also, the model estimates direct, diffuse and global irradiations on different time intervals, such as a day, a season or a year. Any of these irradiances/irradiations is a maximum for a certain optimum tilt angle. Most part of the primary data is bas ed on Viking Landers measurements. The recommended strategies to colle ct the maximum amount of solar radiation depend on the dust content in the atmosphere. During the ''clear'' days the best strategy is to kee p the receiving surface perpendicular on Sun's rays. This strategy all ows to collect the maximum direct solar radiation and it is recommende d in the case of solar concentrators. A simpler procedure is to use a South oriented surface whose tilt angle is continuously adjusted in or der to collect the maximum global irradiance. During the dust storms t he dependence of the incident irradiance upon surface's tilt and orien tation becomes less important and simpler strategies are more convenie nt:(e.g. a horizontal receiving surface or a once-per-day adjustment o f the tilt angle). (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd, All rights reserved.