Solar-Powered Fixed-Wing UAV: Fabrication Procedures with Design Methods

The manuscript deals with the fabrication of fixed-wing UAV or drone with solar panel on wings. The research work is to increase the endurance of the UAV using the solar power. The research work begins with a suitable methodology to design a solar UAV. Once the design phase is completed, weight estimation was performed with the available design values. The estimated weight was taken as in the input value to predict the aerodynamic forces such as lift and drag. Further thrust was estimated using a test rig and UAV experiments. These performance values are experimental which was obtained using detailed design. Further the airfoil selection and rib design were made, and finally, the structure of wing was fabricated. Similar manner tail was designed and fabricated. All the components of wings and tail were manufactured using laser cutting technology. Finally, the performance of solar cell was discussed, and their performance values are recorded.