Development of solar power systems for solar UAV : evaluation of nomura MPPTs at sub-zero temperatures & solar modules encapsulation

• Main Author: Teo, Boon Rong
• Other Authors: Ng Heong Wah
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: 2014
• Subjects: DRNTU::Engineering
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10356/60880
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

This report is a documentation of the work the author did during his final year of study at Nanyang Technological University(NTU). The author took up the Solar Unmanned Aerial Vehicle(UAV) project, a 4 year project collaboration with Defense Science Organization(DSO) for his Final Year Project. This project aims to develop a Solar UAV and is currently in its 3rd year of progress. The author was part of the team, which is made up of various groups namely Aerodynamics, Avionics, Solar and Structures. The author chose to be involved in the Solar Group, which has 4 group members. In this group, the author and a team member, Jason, was tasked to work on the Solar Panels section. The author was tasked to retrieve essential and useful results from previous years and re-design certain areas. This report explains the reasoning for the re-arrangement and cutting of solar cells, the need for low temperature testing of Maximum Power Point Trackers(MPPTs) and necessary steps aimed at reducing the weight contribution from the Solar Group via the encapsulation of cells. In addition, the energy generated by the solar cells at the time of Flight Test at India, Kanpur was calculated to check if the number of solar cells to be placed on the wing is sufficient. The deliverables for this project include a prototyped wing laden with 6 solar modules with the dimensions of 3.2 metres by 1.26 metres. This prototype will participate in a rooftop test to show that it’s functionality as proof of concept. The author seeks to provide a comprehensive and informative report to the next batch of students taking over the project so as to further the progress of building the Solar UAV.