Comparative assessment of technical and economic efficiency of using solar and nuclear power plants as part of a lunar base

An assessment of technical and economic efficiency of using nuclear power plants as part of a lunar base in comparison with solar power plants was conducted. It was assumed that the solar power plant includes solar arrays and regenerative fuel cells acting as energy storage devices. Used as a measure of efficiency was the unit cost of generating one kilowatt of electric power. Various options for lunar base location on the lunar surface, crew size, and the degree to which the lunar resources are used were considered. It was demonstrated that the nuclear power plants are preferable when power consumption of the lunar base exceeds 50 kW. An exception is the option where the lunar base is located in the areas with continuous insolation in the south polar region. In that case there is no need to provide a large-capacity energy storage device, and solar arrays are preferable when electrical power consumption is below 600 kW.