A Light Weight Solar Powered Mini Quadcopter for Environmental Monitoring

Abstract

A flying quadcopter equipped with green and environment friendly solar energy is designed and implemented in this study for monitoring purposes. It is capable to operate with light weight small solar panel generated power with designated light weight boost converter integrated in the body of the flying model. A preliminary design of the solar powered quadcopter has been performed by calculating and estimating the maximum lifting weight of flying model, voltage rating of the solar panel, battery voltage rating and its capacity. A charging during operation has been supplemented to the quadcopter to facilitate the operation as well as charging at the same time. In addition, crash protection structure has also been equipped to the design to reduce the impact to the structure during improper landing. With the enhanced ability of providing self-sustaining energy source, the quadcopter is capable to carry out environmental sensing with proper sensor mounted on it.