New solar UAV from BYU

A Brigham Young student team is working on their second solar-powered UAV. The first one, shown here, didn't have enough power to climb, but now they have better solar cells.

Here are the detail:

"Power system:
Mega 16/7/17 motor
MPJ 3.8:1 Gearbox
18x13 folding prop

Airframe:
Fuselage-Magellan E-XL
span-3m or 2m
airfoil-SD8000

So we are just researching and trying to make a plane that will work. We currently have two wings being built.The high aspect ratio wing is the 3m which has a cord just big enough for the solar cell array. The low aspect ratio wing will have a chord length to fit two solar cells wide and span will be closer to 2m.

Solar array:
24 A-300 cells
~3W per cell"

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Comments

Ramon L January 28, 2011 at 4:22pm

where did you get the A-300 cells?
Mark Grennan January 28, 2011 at 2:14pm

I was looking around and found these guys make thin film flexiable solar panels for RC plans!

http://www.flexsolarcells.com/index_files/OEM_Components/Flex_Cells...
Jeff January 28, 2011 at 12:28pm

Here at Michigan we have a student group that does solar UAV's as well and they made a hydrogen fuel cell UAV that was in the air for more than 10hrs (highlight video on website). Very similar to what you have posted Chris. The website about the group is here. I might be able to get more information on the group if there is an interest in their developments.

I wish I could join it but with 18 credits I don't have enough time. =(
Adrian Eves January 28, 2011 at 12:00pm

Best of luck!

This reply was deleted.