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Effect of the Inclusion of Photovoltaic Solar Panels in the Autonomy of UAV Time of Flight

Author

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  • Joana Engana Carmo

    (Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Instituto Superior Técnico, 1049-001 Lisbon, Portugal)

  • João Paulo Neto Torres

    (Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Instituto Superior Técnico, 1049-001 Lisbon, Portugal
    Instituto de Telecomunicações, 1049-001 Lisbon, Portugal
    Academia Militar, Av. Conde Castro Guimarães, 2720-113 Amadora, Portugal)

  • Gonçalo Cruz

    (Portuguese Air Force Research Center, 2715-311 Sintra, Portugal)

  • Ricardo A. Marques Lameirinhas

    (Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Instituto Superior Técnico, 1049-001 Lisbon, Portugal
    Instituto de Telecomunicações, 1049-001 Lisbon, Portugal)

Abstract

Photovoltaic technology and unmanned aerial vehicles are both alluring areas with a lot of potential to explore. Consequently, they have an ability to adapt and progress when faced with new challenges, hence their wide range of applications. An auspicious combination between the two is born from the Unmanned Aerial Vehicles’ (UAVs) inability to to overcome some of its problems, namely the autonomy one. This article springs from the need to vanquish the problem, finding a more permanent solution. Its aim consists in the installation of solar photovoltaic panels in the structure of a UAV, with the objective of studying being its influence on the vehicle’s time of flight. To accomplish this, a theoretical study will be made, encompassing all the potential variables together with its influence. In order to verify the credibility of these claims, a prototype, based on the original aerial vehicle structure form and material, is constructed, using a finite element tool. Later, the prototype is used to evaluate possible harsh circumambient air to structure interactions, modeled by the fluid motion describer Navier–Stokes equations. For a smooth approach involving lighter computational power, a RANS model is used to asses the equations. Based on its results the chosen solar technology credibility is evaluated. A simulation of solar cells will also be carried out, accepting as input previously studied parameters which will modify its performance. Bearing in mind the produced results, it is concluded that the solar panels can only significantly augment the time of flight in very specific conditions.

Suggested Citation

  • Joana Engana Carmo & João Paulo Neto Torres & Gonçalo Cruz & Ricardo A. Marques Lameirinhas, 2021. "Effect of the Inclusion of Photovoltaic Solar Panels in the Autonomy of UAV Time of Flight," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(4), pages 1-19, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:14:y:2021:i:4:p:876-:d:495448
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. João Paulo N. Torres & Carlos A. F. Fernandes & João Gomes & Bonfiglio Luc & Giovinazzo Carine & Olle Olsson & P. J. Costa Branco, 2018. "Effect of Reflector Geometry in the Annual Received Radiation of Low Concentration Photovoltaic Systems," Energies, MDPI, vol. 11(7), pages 1-15, July.
    2. Catarina Sofia Campos & João Paulo N. Torres & João F. P. Fernandes, 2019. "Effects of the Heat Transfer Fluid Selection on the Efficiency of a Hybrid Concentrated Photovoltaic and Thermal Collector," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(9), pages 1-12, May.
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    Cited by:

    1. João Paulo N. Torres & Ana Sofia De Jesus & Ricardo A. Marques Lameirinhas, 2022. "How to Improve an Offshore Wind Station," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(13), pages 1-20, July.
    2. Ricardo A. Marques Lameirinhas & João Paulo N. Torres & João P. de Melo Cunha, 2022. "A Photovoltaic Technology Review: History, Fundamentals and Applications," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(5), pages 1-44, March.

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