Features of solar UAV

Compared with traditional aircraft, solar UAV has three main characteristics: first, it can fly high, but its load capacity is relatively weak. Solar UAVs usually adopt aerodynamic layout with high aspect ratio, which has a high lift-drag ratio and can fly up to 30 km. At the same time, the wing load of UAV is very low, the weight of the whole aircraft is small, and the load capacity is weak. The load capacity of solar UAV with a span of 60m is 30-50kg. Second, it takes a long time to fly, but there are many limiting factors for power extraction. The solar unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) can achieve ultra-long flight hours for several months or even longer, but at the same time, the conversion efficiency of solar cells and the energy-weight ratio of energy storage cells are limited, and the power supply capacity is relatively weak, and its power supply capacity is directly related to the sunshine intensity, which is suitable for use in low and middle latitude areas. Third, the guarantee is simple, with low life-cycle cost and great potential. From the perspective of maintenance support, the solar UAV airborne system is simple and the daily maintenance complexity is low; Long flight time and long maintenance interval. From the point of view of takeoff and landing support, it is usually about 10 m/s to take off, and the requirements for runway length are not high, and there is no need for traditional refueling and other support equipment. From the perspective of use efficiency, due to its ultra-long flight hours, compared with conventional aircraft, there is no need for frequent replacement to complete permanent tasks, and the scale of dispatched aircraft is greatly reduced.