Solar powered coordinated drone for last mile delivery

Kumuyi, Olakunle (2025) Solar powered coordinated drone for last mile delivery. International Journal of Science and Research Archive, 14 (2). pp. 570-591. ISSN 2582-8185

The rapid growth of e-commerce and urban logistics has intensified challenges in last-mile delivery, including traffic congestion, high operational costs, payload limitation for single drones, and environmental impacts. This study proposes a solar-powered coordinated drone system to address these issues by leveraging renewable energy and multi-drone collaboration. The research focuses on four objectives: (1) developing a coordinated drone system capable of transporting heavy payloads for greater payload capabilities, (2) optimizing energy efficiency through solar panel integration and advanced battery technologies, and (3) calculate environmental impact reduction achieved by using solar-powered, (4) hybrid methodology combining system design, energy consumption modeling, and environmental impact analysis was employed to evaluate technical feasibility and sustainability. (6) Mathematical models for solar energy harvesting, thrust requirements, and power management were developed to optimize payload capacity and flight range. Results indicate that when compared to using fossil-fueled delivery for payloads beyond the capabilities of a single small delivery drone, using coordinated drones instead can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 80% compared to fossil-fueled delivery trucks, with operational costs decreasing by 30-40%. Key innovations include dynamic solar charging analysis, application of Green Vehicle Routing Problem (GVRP) Model for route optimization, and Environmental Impact Analysis (Sustainability Assessment). Challenges such as solar panel efficiency constraints (15-30%), temperature impacts on energy generation. Power and Battery Capacity Relationship. The study concludes that solar-powered coordinated drones offer a scalable, eco-friendly alternative to traditional logistics, aligning with global sustainability goals. Future research should explore advanced solar materials, regulatory frameworks, and AI-driven traffic management to enhance adoption. This work contributes to the evolution of sustainable urban logistics, emphasizing reduced carbon footprints for payloads beyond the capabilities of a single drone, cost efficiency, and improved customer satisfaction through rapid, reliable deliveries.