Application of thermo-electrical generator modules to solar powered aircrafts

This work focuses on the combination of solar panels installed on wing profiles and thermo electrical generator modules. The concept of these two systems working together has the scope to increase the electrical output of the solar cells. A model of the panel-module system is proposed, based on the energy balance of each component of the system, including radiation, conduction and convection phenomena. Data of solar panels and thermal electric generators are taken from existing products available in the market and their values are averaged and derived by trendlines to adapt the available data to the temperature range that are relevant for aeronautical applications. All the results are then shown as functions of the altitude, in a range between zero and 30,000 m. The model solves the energy balance around the solar panel-thermo electrical generator module system. Temperatures of the external environment (atmosphere) and inside the profile are defined based on Standard Atmosphere, and therefore they depend on the altitude. The model also considers a 2-D profile, therefore tridimensional effects around the wing are not considered. In addition to this, the air flow around the profile is considered non-viscous. The proposed model can then be used on any airfoil profile, however, due to the limitations mentioned above, it is more relevant for low speed airplanes. An example using the airfoil profile of HeliPlat solar aircraft is shown. The results are shown under different environment conditions, such as day of the year, time, positions and under different angle of incidence of the profiles. A final mention on a possible application of this system in different fields is proposed, since this approach could be relevant for solar panels in installations on the ground.