Conceptual Design of a Solar UAV for Continuous Operation Over Hamburg

Abstract:
The development of solar-powered unmanned aerial vehicles (SUAVs) with long-endurance presents significant opportunities for urban monitoring, communication networks, environmental studies, and solar pseudo-satellite applications. This paper presents a conceptual design methodology for SUAVs capable of continuous flight. Simplified but accurate analytical models for solar irradiation and battery working time were developed, addressing limitations in previous models. Furthermore, a simple yet efficient design algorithm based on energy and mass balances was introduced and validated. Hamburg City was selected as a case study to define an optimal design for continuous flight. The results suggest that continuous flight under real-sky conditions is achievable for more than eight months per year using state-of-the-art, commercially available solar cells and batteries. Simulation validation confirms the algorithm’s accuracy, while sensitivity analysis highlights the importance of simultaneous advancements in both solar and battery technologies. This work provides a solid foundation toward improving SUAV designs for more reliable, long-endurance operations.