This article considers the current knowledge and recent advances in the development of solar-powered aircraft.
Image Credit: BokehStore/Shutterstock.com
An essential development in the field of solar-powered aircraft flight took place when the test flights for the Airbus Zephyr aircraft were completed, which stayed in the air for a week, ensuring internet provision to people.
History of Solar Aviation
During the 1970s fuel crisis, solar energy via photovoltaic panels was identified as an alternative energy source for humanity. Solar-powered airplanes have lately piqued the curiosity of the general public and the aviation industry due to their usage as an environmentally friendly alternative.
Sunrise, the world’s first solar-powered airplane, took to the skies in 1974. Solar-powered airplanes have come a long way since then. Solar-powered airplanes, as opposed to ordinary airplanes, capture solar irradiance and transform it into electrical energy using photovoltaic panels.
Preference of Solar Powered Aircrafts Over Traditional Aircrafts
Owing to the inexhaustible supply of solar electricity, solar-powered airplanes have a significant potential for high altitude and long-endurance (HALE) missions. Solar-powered aircraft can be constructed to fly close to space; that is, just above the atmospheric flight zone but below the spacecraft flight region (around 20–100 km).
They can cruise perpetually for an extended period, even years, depending on the airplane system’s durability and sunshine circumstances, something conventional airplanes cannot achieve owing to their operational limitations. Another major advantage is the massive reduction in emissions, with almost 80% fewer carbon emissions than a traditional aircraft.
Working Mechanisms
The main idea is to cover a certain region of the airplane with solar cells, often the wings and tail section. When exposed to the rays of the sun, the photovoltaic panels convert it into electrical energy. The quantity of energy generated is determined by factors like the orientation of the panels to the sun, and the intensity of sunlight.
A circuit with a configurable microprocessor handles the power transmission output. The electricity regulation and transmission mechanism guarantee maximum energy output by the solar panels. The electricity generated is mostly used for propelling the aircraft and onboard electronics. The excess energy is utilized to recharge the batteries which are used in the absence of low sunlight.
AIRBUS – ZEPHYR S | Solar electric UAV
Video Credit: JAKA YAN SURYANA CHANNEL/Youtube.com
Advancements in Solar Powered Aircrafts
Photovoltaic (PV) cells, concentrated solar power (CSP), and solar thermal collectors for heating and cooling (SHC) are three primary technologies utilized for solar energy applications. PV technology is widely recognized as a way of …….