Solar Panel Effect on Low-Speed Airfoil Aerodynamic Performance

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