Design and Implementation of A Solar-Powered Surveillance Drone

Abstract Despite advances in drone design and battery capacity, drone flight time limitations have been a problem. Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) are a technology rapidly deployed for surveillance. Still, it has been seen that the duration of flight time can be challenging due to the discharging rate of the battery used in the drones. The study aims to design and implement a solar-powered surveillance drone that leverages renewable energy to continuously charge drones, ensuring uninterrupted flight without physical connections or human intervention to the drone system. The paper developed a solar-powered charging station that uses solar energy to charge the drone’s battery, deploying a Solar Photo voltaic panel, charge controller, and lithium battery. The system is an environmentally friendly and practical charging solution to drone technology. The research provides a revolutionary method that allows missions to continue unhindered and increases the possible uses for drones, thereby solving the persistent problem of drone flight duration limitations. Between take off and landing time, the constructed drone is able to maintain a time of flight of approximately ten minutes. Solar panels with high tracking devices to maximize sun exposure and sophisticated power management strategies reduce energy loss during conversion and storage to increase the efficiency of solar charging stations and wireless chargers, can be an area for further studies. The system can help farmers solve insecurity issues.