A conceptual design of a solar powered UAV and assessment for continental climate flight conditions

Abstract

ABSTRACT Solar energy is a source of alternative energy for fossil fuels. The importance of solar energy is due to its qualities. It is both unlimited and nondestructive to nature. It also has zero emissions and limitations unlike fossil fuels. In this study, the conceptual design of a solar-powered unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), with six hours of endurance, is performed. An evaluation of the literature and powertrain architecture design is carried out. Components, such as solar panels, battery, and Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) are evaluated. The city of Eskisehir in Turkey is selected as a flight region with a continental climate. Flight environment and solar energy generation efficiency are investigated. Monthly sunshine times are calculated and compared with the semi empirically calculated power requirement of the UAV. It has been found that the UAV that is the subject of this study can achieve six hours of solar flight during the period between the fourth and the tenth months in Eskisehir, with 472.29 Wh of electrical energy required to be generated within a 1.084 m2 wing area.