EXTENDING THE ENDURANCE OF SMALL, VERTICAL TAKEOFF AND LANDING UNMANNED AERIAL SYSTEMS WITH THIN-FILM PHOTOVOLTAICS
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Authors
Ojard, Daniel S.
Subjects
thin-film photovoltaics
CIGS solar cells
unmanned aerial system
UAS
VTOL UAS
CIGS solar cells
unmanned aerial system
UAS
VTOL UAS
Advisors
Michael, Sherif N.
Date of Issue
2024-03
Date
Publisher
Monterey, CA; Naval Postgraduate School
Language
Abstract
Photovoltaic technology has advanced rapidly since its inception in the 1950s. Thin-film photovoltaics using heterojunction copper indium gallium diselenide (CIGS) material comprise lightweight, flexible solar cells that are well-suited for integration onto aircraft wing and horizontal surface areas. Small unmanned aerial systems (UASs) typically utilize electric propulsion sourced from lithium batteries. Extending the endurance of Department of Defense small UASs enhances mission capability and support to the warfighter; consequently, thin-film photovoltaic integration onto UASs has been well researched at the Naval Postgraduate School. This thesis extends previous research to examine photovoltaic integration on small UASs with vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) capability. The Lockheed Martin Stalker VXE30 is a VTOL small UAS that was selected for analysis. Building a scaled CIGS array and power system allowed testing and extrapolation of data to analyze this platform in a variety of solar environments. MATLAB modeling allowed a comprehensive examination of performance data and demonstrated the efficacy of CIGS solar integration on VXE30 endurance.
Type
Thesis
Description
Series/Report No
Department
Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE)
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NPS Report Number
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Citation
Distribution Statement
Distribution Statement A. Approved for public release: Distribution is unlimited.
Rights
This publication is a work of the U.S. Government as defined in Title 17, United States Code, Section 101. Copyright protection is not available for this work in the United States.