MIT astronautics faculty did a study which compares 13 different power generation methods for use on Mars [0]. They determined that: "For latitudes close to th

MIT astronautics faculty did a study which compares 13 different power generation methods for use on Mars [0]. They determined that: "For latitudes close to this optimum latitude (31" north), photo- voltaic power systems exhibit mass- and volume- based performance that is comparable to that of nuclear fission power systems. For global access for human Mars surface missions, nuclear power is required either in the form of fission reactors or radioisotope generators." ...further noting: "...solar-based Mars surface power systems should be seriously considered as an alternative to nuclear fission surface power." The way I read the study, if you're happy with staying around the "near-equatorial north", you should use PV solar... if you want to site your colony somewhere else, you should use nuclear power. [0]: http://systemarchitect.mit.edu/docs/cooper10.pdf http://systemarchitect.mit.edu/docs/cooper10.pdf