Abstract: To solve the efficient power utilization problem of solar cells on near space unmanned aerial vehicles,a power generation model of solar cell on an airfoil surface of unmanned aerial vehicle is proposed and the numerical analysis is performed. The results show that the date,flight direction,and position on the airfoil surface affect the cell’s current,voltage,power,efficiency,and daily power generation. The maximum current difference is 0.068 A and the maximum voltage difference is 2.28 V for solar cells at different positions at the same time,affected by the solar position and the variation of direct incidence conditions. Flight direction remarkably influences the daily power generation of solar cells near leading and trailing edges except for Summer Solstice. Reduction of total irradiance on cells induced by curved surface causes negligible losses of current and power because the ratios of chord length to arc length of single solar cells are close to unity. Cell partition models have a negligible effect on daily power generation;thus,a single solar cell can be analyzed as a whole. The results can be used as a reference for solar cell layout and interconnection design of unmanned aerial vehicles.