Research on optimal solar array layout for near-space airship with thermal effect

The output performance of solar array on near-space airship can be effectively improved by the layout optimization of solar array. This paper studied the effect of layout parameters on output energy of solar array on the airship with and without thermal effect, and particularly the optimization of solar array layout under the thermal effect. Based on the thermal model of solar array and the layout optimization model, a Matlab numerical program is adopted to calculate the output power or energy of solar array and latitudes and the change trend of optimum layout parameters for whole year and different latitude. The theoretical model is clearly verified comparing with the experimental result of temperature distribution of solar array. The effect of layout parameter on the thermal performance of airship was then analyzed by CFD simulation. The results show that the output performance of solar array is significantly improved through optimized layout and the output power or energy is decreased when considering thermal effect. The optimization of layout parameter may increase average temperature of airship and the velocity of internal helium of airship. Therefore, it is valuable to investigate the thermal effect of solar array in practical engineering of solar power system.