Modelling of photovoltaic production and electrochemical storage in an autonomous solar drone

A simple, efficient simulator has been developed to predict the generation of photovoltaic energy and its storage in Li-ion batteries, for an autonomous drone with four wings covered by solar panels based on thin-film gallium arsenide photovoltaic cells (III–V). This simulator allows prediction of the effective photovoltaic power produced by the solar panels as well as the battery pack voltage when the drone is flying. Flight parameters such as irradiance, sun inclination angles, and drone Euler angles are considered as input parameters. The measured photovoltaic power and battery pack voltage are in good agreement with the simulated values, making practical use by the XSun company possible. This parametric study shows the effects of climatic and geographic conditions on drone autonomy. In optimal weather conditions on a sunny day, drone flight can last 12 ​h.