Solar UAV for the Inspection and Monitoring of Photovoltaic (PV) Systems in Solar Power Plants

摘要

This paper aims to design and fabricate a prototype of a solar-powered, fixed-wing, Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) with energy harvesting capabilities that can inspect and monitor panel arrays in solar power plants. In the energy sector, workers are susceptible to hazards such as working at large heights, high voltage contact, confined areas, and variable weather. Drone technology can be used to provide realtime, high-quality data that plant managers can use to conduct safe inspections, all at a low-cost. The primary goal for the UAV concept presented in this paper is use a lightweight, renewable energy source called Thermophotovoltaics, and attach the system to the wing of a drone to significantly extend its flight time without compromising the UAV's weight, size, or maneuverability and provide power for long-duration missions without having to land. The UAV concept will incorporate three technologies: machine learning algorithms, artificial intelligence and path-planning, and recognition methods. These methods will be used to achieve high accuracy and precision information on the degradation or defect presence on individual solar panel modules. In addition, thermal and optical imaging may reveal compromises in the solar panel array via electrical errors or structural issues.