Solar Panel Effect on Low-Speed Airfoil Aerodynamic Performance

Recently, a great interest in search of alternate means of power for the traditional fuel for aircraft propulsion is raised so as to decrease gas emissions and reduce operating costs. For the small and micro unmanned aerial vehicles or small transportation aircraft, there are many challenges in the direction of constructing an electric or solar powered airplane whose wings may possibly be sheltered with photo voltaic PV solar panels to harvest sun’s energy for propulsion. Greatest remarkably success solar powered aircraft has attracted the attention of researchers other than UAV and small aircraft supporters. Although the solar panel is thin, its thickness is considerable compared to the airfoil thickness. This paper aims to evaluate the impact of adding the solar panel over a low camber airfoil suitable for low-Reynolds number flights, as mini UAVs. Three panel installation configurations are examined to stand on the most suitable configuration, in terms of aerodynamic efficiency. The analysis is based on the airfoil characteristics (lift, drag, and moment) and the pressure distribution over the airfoil surface. A parametric study is conducted to study the effect of the solar panel size, thickness, and position on the aerodynamic performance.