Development and fabrication of solar powered UAV : Part 1

Abstract

With the improvement in photovoltaic cells, the development in solar unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) has attracted much attention in the recent decades. This project aims to construct a solar UAV capable of self-sustaining flight. This research project seeks to assemble a procured aircraft, design the solar panels layout, perform the fabrication of the solar panels and integrate the solar panels onto the aircraft. However, in the design of the solar panels, certain limitations were faced and overcame. Various components required for flying the aircraft was procured. The compatibility of the various components was verified. Planning of the components’ position on the aircraft was also executed. In phase 1 of the project, a certain process of fabricating the solar panels was undertaken. The process of fabricating the solar panels was evaluated and ideas to improve the solar panels fabrication process were generated. In phase 2 of the project, the improved solar panels fabrication process was undertaken and evaluated. Integration of the developed solar panels and its MPPTs on the aircraft were also carried out. This final year project will provide insights in the assembly of the procured aircraft, fabrication of the solar panels and evaluation on the various processes in the project. Lastly, this final year project seeks to provide a better platform for future projects to work on.