A thermal model to investigate the power output of solar array for stratospheric balloons in real environment

Abstract It is very important to solve the energy problem of stratospheric balloon to operate at high altitude for extended durations. Solar energy is the ideal power choice for long endurance stratospheric balloon. This study outlines a simplified numerical model validated using field data covers the thermal model of solar array that is not affected by balloon inside environment as airship does, the solar radiation model, the power output model. The predicted and measured solar array temperature and output power values yield correspondence with deviations below 2.16%, 6.6%, respectively. Based on this numerical model, computer program has been developed and simulated. The simulation was applied to a stratospheric balloon flight in one of the cities of Turkey’s atmospheric conditions including real wind data. The output performance of solar array with and without thermal effect is reported. Furthermore, transmissivity of external encapsulation, wind speed on thermal performance and power output of solar array is discussed in detail. The results would be helpful for the design, operation of stratospheric balloon solar power system.