Politeknik Dergisi 2147-9429 Gazi Üniversitesi 10.2339/politeknik.1660926 Mechanical Engineering (Other) Makine Mühendisliği (Diğer) Model Uçaklarda Güneş Panellerinin Entegrasyonu: Enerji Verimliliği ve Aerodinamik Performansın Değerlendirilmesi Integration of Solar Panels in Aircraft: Evaluation of Energy Efficiency and Aerodynamic Performance https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4628-7786 Demir Cüneyd KIRŞEHİR AHİ EVRAN ÜNİVERSİTESİ https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2077-9237 Danışmaz Merdin KIRŞEHİR AHİ EVRAN ÜNİVERSİTESİ https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1440-276X Köroğlu Ahmet KIRŞEHİR AHİ EVRAN ÜNİVERSİTESİ 04 21 2026 29 4 1 13 03 19 2025 04 26 2025 Copyright © 1998, Politeknik Dergisi 1998 Politeknik Dergisi

Bu çalışma, kanatlarında güneş paneli hücreleri bulunan bir uçağın tasarım ve pratik uygulamasını içeren bir durum çalışmasıdır. Uçuş sırasında gerekli enerjinin bir kısmının yenilenebilir bir enerji kaynağı olan güneşten sağlanması hedeflenmektedir. Araştırma, güneş hücrelerinin yenilikçi bir uçak tasarımındaki etkinliğini ve uçağın çeşitli hız koşullarındaki uçuş performansını değerlendirmektedir. Prototip uçak, 2,5 m kanat açıklığı, 1,4 m uzunluk ve 0,5 m genişlikte, NACA 2412 kanat profili ile tasarlanmıştır. Farklı uçuş hızlarında (1, 5, 10, 13 ve 20 m/s) yapılan aerodinamik testler, aerodinamik kuvvetler, tork değerleri ve güneş panellerinin enerji katkısını belirlemiştir. Sonuçlar, güneş panellerinin uçuş için gerekli enerjinin %15'ini sağladığını ve 20 m/s hızda maksimum kaldırma kuvvetinin 10,68 N olduğunu göstermektedir. Uçuş hızının artması, sürükleme ve kaldırma kuvvetlerini artırmakta, 10 m/s üzerindeki hızlarda sürükleme kuvvetindeki artış oranı, kaldırma kuvvetine göre %25 daha düşük olmaktadır. Çalışma, sürdürülebilir uçak tasarımı ve enerji verimliliği konularında yenilikçi bir yaklaşım sunmaktadır.

This study presents a case analysis involving the design and practical application of an aircraft featuring solar panel cells on its wings. The objective is to harness a portion of the energy required for flight from a renewable energy source, namely solar energy. The research evaluates the effectiveness of solar cells in an innovative aircraft design and assesses the aircraft’s flight performance under various speed conditions. The prototype aircraft is designed with a wingspan of 2.5 m, a length of 1.4 m, and a width of 0.5 m, utilizing a NACA 2412 airfoil. Aerodynamic tests conducted at different flight speeds (1, 5, 10, 13, and 20 m/s) measured aerodynamic forces, torque values, and the energy contribution from the solar panels. The results indicate that the solar panels provide 15% of the energy required for flight, with a maximum lift force of 10.68 N achieved at 20 m/s. As flight speed increases, both drag and lift forces rise, with the rate of increase in drag being 25% lower than that of lift at speeds above 10 m/s. This study offers an innovative approach to sustainable aircraft design and energy efficiency.

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