This figure better accounts for dust storms variations in orbital distance martian tilt etc.
Efficiency of solar panels on mars.
An average solar panel will have an efficiency of 20.
Some can get as high as 25 or 35 but most are in the 20 s so we ll say that our solar panels have 20 efficiency.
This means that martian solar panels at max would be around 1 3 as efficient as their most efficient counterparts on earth.
Astronauts will need to utilize every last energy generating ounce of equipment sent to mars including back up systems.
The comparison between solar panels on mars and solar panels here on earth is quite similar.
Let s estimate that mars base one will require 10 000 kilowatts of power.
Hopefully by the time we launch to mars we ll have some even better solar panels.
If your rooftop solar panels are efficient well maintained and durable they will convert more energy from the sun you ll pull less power from your utility and your bill will be lower.
Through the 2018 breakthrough innovative and game changing big idea challenge nasa is enlisting university students in its quest for efficient reliable and cost effective solar power systems that can operate on mars both day and night.
Here at sunrun that lasts for two decades at the minimum.