Solar panel

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An artists impression of the ill-fated Beagle 2 lander. The prominent solar panels are deployed.

Solar Panels generate electric energy out of sunlight. Usually they are constructed from a semi-conductor such as silicon. Solar panels are frequently used in space primarily for satellites and space stations in Earth orbit and is the prime source of energy for Mars satellites, landers and rovers. Solar panels begin to lose usefulness for deep space and outer solar system missions (i.e. the Cassini mission to Saturn or the Voyager program) where radioisotope thermoelectric generators are the favoured (if controversial) means to generate electricity.

The International Space Station in Earth orbit. The huge solar arrays provide the station's electrical power.

On Mars the sunlight is bright enough to use solar panels. The famous rovers Spirit and Opportunity have them. The experiences are terrific: Since July 2003 they are working fine, and the Martian winds have kept the surfaces clear of dust. However, the rovers cannot operate at full capacity during the Martian winter when the intensity of the sunlight is reduced, and dust storms have from time to time caused severe reductions in the available power, requiring the rovers to go into a low-power "hibernation" mode.

A major drawback to using solar power is the requirement for some form of energy storage to keep power available during the Martian night.