This document provides details about a project to design and fabricate a solar-powered quadcopter drone (SPQD). The project aims to extend the drone's flight time by utilizing solar cells embedded on the drone's arms to generate electrical energy. The objectives are to evaluate changes in flight time and weight with and without solar cells and to develop a quadcopter using an Ardupilot flight controller. The goals are to demonstrate the feasibility of using solar-powered quadcopters for applications like surveillance and to develop more sustainable drones. The project will be carried out in stages including developing the solar charging module, building the quadcopter, and testing changes in flight time and weight.

1. NEW GENERATION INNOVATION AND
ENTREPRENEURSHIP DEVELOPMENT CENTER
(NewGen IEDC)
College of Technology and Engineering
Maharana Pratap University of Agriculture and Technology
Udaipur-313001 Rajasthan
Sponsored by
National Science & Technology
Entrepreneurship Development Board
(NSTEDB), Department of Science &
Technology; New Delhi
Implemented by
Entrepreneurship Development Institute
of India (EDII), Ahmadabad

2. Guided By
Dr Chitranjan Agarwal
Associate Professor
(DME)
Dr Trilok Gupta
Associate Professor
(HOD, DCE)
Dr N.L. Panwar
Associate Professor
(HOD, DREE)
Submitted By
Harsh Vardhan Swami
IV Year (B.Tech M.E.)
Harsh Kothari
III Year (B.Tech M.E.)

3. Presentation on design and
fabrication of solar powered
Quadrotor UAV
SOLAR
POWERED
QUADROTOR
UAV

4. TABLE
OF
CONTENTS
Brief introduction about solar
power and its efficiency
SOLAR POWER
03
ABOUT THE PROJECT
Introduction to the idea of
implementation of solar power
with drones
01
WHY QUADCOPTERS?
Why quadcopters were chosen
for this particular project?
02
PROJECT OBJECTIVES
AND GOALS
What are the objectives
behind pursuing this project.
What goals are to be achieved
through this project
04
PROJECT STAGES
Road map to completion of
the project.
05

5. ABOUT THE PROJECT
The project "Design and Fabrication
of Quadcopter embedded with Solar
Cells" aims to create a sustainable
and eco-friendly quadcopter that is
capable of flying using solar power.
The quadcopter is designed to have
solar cells embedded on its arms,
which will generate the necessary
electrical energy to power the
quadcopter.
The project aims to demonstrate the
feasibility of using solar-powered
quadcopters for various
applications, including surveillance,
aerial mapping, and environmental
monitoring, among others.

6. WHY
QUADCOPTERS?
Usually involving a fixed frame
made of any strong and light
material of choice that can be
constructed with ease.
These drones are perfect for
filming, aerial mapping or
infrastructure monitoring
SUSTAINABILITY IN
PRECISE MISSIONS
HIGH
MANEUVERABILITY
SIMPLICITY IN
MECHANICAL DESIGN
HIGH LOAD
CAPACITY
Due to the presence of several
motors, the multirotors usually
have more payload capacity than
other UAV types.
Since quadcopters by design do
not have a front facing direction,
they are capable of moving in any
direction in any orientation

7. Renewable energy is exemplified by
Solar Energy, which is highly desirable
due to its abundance and availability.
While incorporating solar technology
into aerial robotics is not a new
concept, there is still ongoing research
to develop a fully efficient system for
its integration. Currently, the
technology operates at a 21%
efficiency, meaning only 21% of solar
energy is converted into usable
electrical energy. The aim of the solar-
powered quadrotor drone (SPQD) for
surveillance project is to extend the
flight time of a quadcopter by utilizing
sunlight to generate energy.
SOLAR POWER

8. PROJECT
OBJECTIVES
To evaluate change
in flight time and
weight of UAV with
and without solar
cells.
To design, develop a
quadrotor UAV using
Raspberry Pi
microcontroller and
Ardupilot Flight
controller
Development
of quadrotor
UAV
Testing for
change in
flight time
Implementation
of Solar Power
To incorporate solar
power unit for an
energy efficient
management of the
quadcopter

9. PROJECT
GOALS
The project aims to demonstrate
the feasibility of using solar-
powered quadcopters for various
applications, including surveillance,
aerial mapping, and environmental
monitoring, among others.
The successful completion of this
project will contribute to the
development of sustainable and
energy-efficient quadcopters that
can be used for various purposes,
while reducing the carbon footprint
of the aviation industry.
GOAL 1
GOAL 2

10. Development of solar
module and smart
battery switching
algorithm
PROJECT
STAGES
STAGE 2
Development of quadrotor
UAV using Arducopter
APM 2.8 FC
STAGE 1
Testing of UAV for changes in
flight time and weight
STAGE 3

11. A brief representation of the design of
project. The solar cells will be
embedded on each arm of the frame
and all the components will reside at the
center of the frame.
SNEAK
PEEK
Fig: SM141K06L monocrystalline solar
cell

12. Since one battery would be working (ONLINE)
and the other would be charging (OFFLINE), it
is necessary to have a system in place that
would ensure a seamless switching between
the batteries on board the quadcopter. This is to
ensure that there is no break in supply of power
to the on-board electronics hence, preventing
crash.
The solar charging module will consist of a
network of MOSFETs, TP4056 LiPo charging
module and an Arduino Uno. Switching
between batteries will be carried out according
SOLAR
CHARING
MODULE
Fig: Battery Switching algorithm

13. BUDGET
ESTIMATION
COST TO BUILD
QUADCOPTER AND
CHARGING MODULE
20,000 Rs COST OF
REQUIRED SOLAR
CELLS
MISCELLANEOUS
EXPENSES
34,000 Rs
7,000 Rs
PATENT AND
OTHER LEGAL
EXPENSES
50,000 Rs

14. After successful completion and testing of the
first prototype, changes will be made in choice
of material for frame as well as other
components in order to reduce the weight of
UAV and create a better, efficient design
FUTURE
OF
THIS
PROJECT

15. THANK
YOU