Solar Powered UAV

QinetiQ, Europe's largest science and technology organization, has completed the first flight trials of Zephyr - a High-Altitude, Long-Endurance Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) that has a 12 meter (39 ft) wingspan but weighs just 27 kilograms (59 pounds).

The trials took place at the White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico, USA. Two aircraft were flown for four and a half and six hours respectively, the maximum flight times permitted under range restrictions. The maximum altitude attained was 27,000 feet above sea level.

The ultra-light aircraft is solar-electric powered, autonomous and is designed to fly at altitudes as high as 132,000ft (25 miles/40km), above normal commercial air-lanes and most weather. The platform is capable of continuous operation through the use of solar power and low drag aerodynamics.  The combination of solar panels on the upper wing surface and rechargeable batteries allows Zephyr to be flown for durations of many weeks and even months. United Solar Ovonic’s lightweight solar cells have been incorporated into the Zephyr which is powered by approximately 1 kW of United Solar’s lightweight thin film PV.

QinetiQ believes that stratospheric platforms will rapidly become commercially viable and revolutionize future communications. High altitude platforms of this sort could provide a cheaper alternative to satellites in remote areas and developing countries. They can also enable observation of natural disasters and humanitarian crises.

Technorati tags: solar, aircraft, energy, technology

The Energy Blog: Solar Powered UAV

Comments

[A.Syme]

It's one of the holy grails of powered flight, being able to fly indefinitely on solar power. There are several organizations working on this, the pay off for this will be big.
The big problem is finding low weight high-density power storage for non-daylight hours.

[Peter Buck]

ALTAIR NANOTECHNOLOGIES (http://www.altairnano.com/) recently announced a breakthrough lithium battery which could cut battery weight in half (http://www.evworld.com/view.cfm?section=communique&newsid=10734). Also, at that altitude, the plane could soar for much of the night, then climb during the following day.

[Anthony]

Stratospheric platforms are a great idea. Like many new technologies, the challenges would be best solved if they were approached separately. First, aircraft of various specific payload-carrying capabilities need to be designed. Second, kits containing solar panels, batteries and communications gear need to be designed to meet the different payload levels. Third, information on stratospheric winds needs to be made widely available so that planners can know how feasible various schemes are. Fourth, communications models need to be standardized and approved by various governments. Stratospheric platforms can only succeed if the United States and the European Union fund and champion them.

[Solar Panels Guy]

That's a very interesting prospect - but moreso for the military than the progressive energy camp. Aircraft that can stay in the air for such long periods of time without resupply would be a great asset.

[Jonathan]

Find solar products made in China,http://www.chinatraderonline.com/Solar/

[klukaak ish tanwee]

the trandoshans have alredy owned u hewmens in space travel so quit bragin about stupid glass walls onn space ships that make very very little power

[Becky]

To whom it may concern,
I am writing on behalf of the Web Development Team here at Silicon Solar, a company located in upstate New York and we are promoting Renewable Energy. We offer an extensive line of home electric and hot water systems to garden lights and fountains, great for any budget. In addition to home décor, we also offer an exclusive line of DIY kits from cells to solar cars, which are great for educational purposes.
Silicon Solar includes an active and involved staff that wants to make a difference. A main priority Silicon Solar focuses on, is educating today’s youth. Renewable Energy is starting to become more and more popular, it is important these youth are educated-it is their future! Silicon Solar dedicates time and resources to local area schools, providing them the educational tools to learn and understand the benefits. These students are putting together the systems with the help of Silicon Solar’s Team and will continue to observe data. What better way than to learn firsthand and experience the educational benefit.
Silicon Solar has donated a SunMaxx Thermosyphon Solar Hot Water System to a local school for the educational purposes. The Solar Hot Water System allows the students to work first hand with cutting-edge technology along with understanding the economic and ecological benefits. Through research and understanding, the students plan to monitor the Solar Hot Water System readings and will be gaining more and more understanding of the future technology.
This past fall, Silicon Solar installed its own SunMaxx Solar Hot Water System and a PV System to charge a battery bank in our Bainbridge, NY facility. Having this set-up is great for viewers and visitors to see exactly how the Solar Hot Water System and the PV System ties into your home. Viewers and visitors get the opportunity to see firsthand the installations, along with the benefit of speak with a highly educated representative.
You can visit our News & Press Releases at http://www.siliconsolar.com/news-and-press-releases.php for more featured news articles on Silicon Solar.
Educating today’s society on Renewable Energy is a big task however, very beneficial. With having Silicon Solar as a link on your webpage, the word of Renewable Energy can be spread - one click at a time.
We appreciate your time and consideration and we look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
Silicon Solar Web Department

[Becky]

To whom it may concern,
I am writing on behalf of the Web Development Team here at Silicon Solar, a company located in upstate New York and we are promoting Renewable Energy. We offer an extensive line of home electric and hot water systems to garden lights and fountains, great for any budget. In addition to home décor, we also offer an exclusive line of DIY kits from cells to solar cars, which are great for educational purposes.
Silicon Solar includes an active and involved staff that wants to make a difference. A main priority Silicon Solar focuses on, is educating today’s youth. Renewable Energy is starting to become more and more popular, it is important these youth are educated-it is their future! Silicon Solar dedicates time and resources to local area schools, providing them the educational tools to learn and understand the benefits. These students are putting together the systems with the help of Silicon Solar’s Team and will continue to observe data. What better way than to learn firsthand and experience the educational benefit.
Silicon Solar has donated a SunMaxx Thermosyphon Solar Hot Water System to a local school for the educational purposes. The Solar Hot Water System allows the students to work first hand with cutting-edge technology along with understanding the economic and ecological benefits. Through research and understanding, the students plan to monitor the Solar Hot Water System readings and will be gaining more and more understanding of the future technology.
This past fall, Silicon Solar installed its own SunMaxx Solar Hot Water System and a PV System to charge a battery bank in our Bainbridge, NY facility. Having this set-up is great for viewers and visitors to see exactly how the Solar Hot Water System and the PV System ties into your home. Viewers and visitors get the opportunity to see firsthand the installations, along with the benefit of speak with a highly educated representative.
You can visit our News & Press Releases at http://www.siliconsolar.com/news-and-press-releases.php for more featured news articles on Silicon Solar.
Educating today’s society on Renewable Energy is a big task however, very beneficial. With having Silicon Solar as a link on your webpage, the word of Renewable Energy can be spread - one click at a time.
We appreciate your time and consideration and we look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
Silicon Solar Web Department

[ThinkSolar]

This is a beautiful project, very interesting, although I fear that will remain only a prototype or a good idea

[macielter]

macielter

are you looking for me?

macielter

[aircraft parts]

It's very interesting project.