Performance analysis of a photovoltaic/thermal system based on lunar regolith energy storage for the lunar base

Guozheng Chen, Chao Shen, Xingjiang Liu and Kalogirou.A. Soteris

Energy, 2025, vol. 324, issue C

Abstract: The Moon serves as a crucial outpost for deep space exploration, driving the need for a lunar base. However, maintaining a stable internal temperature is challenging due to the Moon's extreme environmental conditions, including significant temperature fluctuations and extended periods of daylight and darkness. This paper proposes integrating a photovoltaic (PV) system with a lunar regolith energy storage system to form a photovoltaic/thermal (PV/T) system. In this design, the PV panels generate electricity for the base, while lunar regolith stores solar energy during the day and cooling energy from deep space at night. A mathematical model of the system was developed, and simulations were carried out. The results demonstrate that, compared to a conventional PV system, the PV/T system increases photovoltaic conversion efficiency by 3.43 %, produces an additional 0.137 GJ of electricity, and provides 3.531 GJ of heat and 10.476 GJ of cooling energy. Moreover, it reduces the required launch mass and cuts launch costs by approximately 53.6 %. Additionally, the PV/T system helps stabilize the operating temperature of the PV panels, leading to more consistent performance and a longer lifespan, making it well-suited for long-term missions, such as a lunar base.

Keywords: Deep space exploration; Lunar base; Photovoltaic/thermal (PV/T); Energy storage; Temperature fluctuation (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:energy:v:324:y:2025:i:c:s0360544225016470

DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2025.136005

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