Journal of Solar Energy Research

An Auxiliary Power System Based on Solar Photovoltaic for Enhanced Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Remote-Controlled Aircraft Endurance

Document Type : Research Article

Authors

1 College of Electromechanical Engineering ,University of Technology-Iraq, Al-Wehda neighborhood ,Baghdad, Iraq

2 College of Electromechanical Engineering, University of Technology-Iraq, Al-Wehda neighborhood, Baghdad, Iraq

3 College of Mechanical Engineering, University of Technology-Iraq, Al-Wehda neighborhood, Baghdad, Iraq

Abstract

This research outlines the design, simulation, and structural evaluation of a solar-assisted power augmentation system integrated into an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) made of expanded polypropylene (EPP) foam. The system consists of two 1.5 W rigid monocrystalline solar panels mounted on the wings and an 18 W flexible panel mounted below the fuselage, which increased the UAV’s weight from 170 g to 840 g. Aerodynamic performance was assessed using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations in ANSYS Fluent over a sweep of angles of attack (–6° to 12°) at speeds of 10 m/s and 30 m/s. The results showed lift augmentation of over 300% with significant drag reduction. Structural simulations in ANSYS Mechanical using pressure loads from CFD results confirmed that the maximum principal stress and von Mises strain were kept within 70% of the material limits of the EPP foam. The most effective operating range was found to be between 3° and 9° AoA for low-speed flight and between 0° and 6° AoA for high-speed flight. This study confirms the feasibility of integrating monocrystalline solar modules into lightweight UAVs as a viable method of drastically extending flight endurance without sacrificing aerodynamic or structural integrity.

Keywords

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Journal of Solar Energy Research
Volume 10, Issue 1
January 2025
Pages 2223-2233