Solar-Powered UAVs Market to Reach $2.9 Million by 2030 | Autonomous UAVs lead with 60% share, powered by AI-driven flight control and solar energy management systems

Leander, Texas and Tokyo, Japan - Dec.05.2025
As per DataM intelligence research report" Global Solar-Powered UAVS Market reached US$ 1.01 million in 2022 and is expected to reach US$ 2.9 million by 2030, growing with a CAGR of 14.3% during the forecast period 2023-2030." Sustainable energy integration and extended flight capabilities are boosting deployment of solar-powered UAVs.

Download your exclusive sample report today: (corporate email gets priority access):
https://www.datamintelligence.com/download-sample/solar-powered-uavs-market?Prasad

United States: Recent Industry Developments

✅ In November 2025, AeroVironment announced a new endurance record for its Sunglider solar-powered stratospheric drone The aircraft successfully maintained flight for 45 consecutive days carrying a 5G communications payload It demonstrates the viability of "High Altitude Platform Stations" (HAPS) for connecting rural U.S. areas

✅ In October 2025, Skydweller Aero received FAA certification to begin commercial testing of its perpetual flight solar drone The UAV is designed to stay airborne for months to provide persistent maritime surveillance It offers a zero-emission alternative to satellite monitoring for U.S. border security

✅ In September 2025, Google's parent company Alphabet spun out its solar drone project into a new venture focused on climate monitoring The new entity aims to map methane leaks and forest fire risks using long-endurance solar aircraft It applies autonomous solar flight technology to critical U.S. environmental challenges

✅ In August 2025, Kratos Defense partnered with a solar film manufacturer to integrate lightweight photovoltaics onto its tactical drones The integration extends the mission range of small tactical UAVs by constantly recharging in flight It enhances the operational reach of U.S. defense assets without increasing battery weight

Japan: Recent Industry Developments

✅ In December 2025, SoftBank's HAPSMobile successfully tested a next-gen solar "Sunglider" capable of 5G transmission The test flight over the stratosphere of Hokkaido proved stable connectivity for smartphones on the ground It advances Japan's disaster-resilient communications infrastructure strategy

✅ In November 2025, Ricoh Company developed a new lightweight flexible solar cell specifically for industrial inspection drones The cells maintain high efficiency even on curved drone wings extending flight times by 30% It boosts the productivity of infrastructure inspection services in Japan

✅ In October 2025, The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) partnered with Sony to develop solar-powered drones for planetary exploration The project aims to create lightweight aircraft capable of flying in the thin atmosphere of Mars It highlights Japan's ambition to lead in extraterrestrial autonomous aviation

✅ In September 2025, a consortium led by NTT Docomo launched a "Sky-Base" solar drone project for monitoring coastal fisheries The drones patrol Japan's Exclusive Economic Zone to detect illegal fishing vessels autonomously It strengthens Japan's maritime security using renewable energy technology

Solar-Powered UAVS Market: Drivers
The solar-powered UAV market is expanding as renewable energy integration improves flight duration and operational sustainability. These UAVs use lightweight solar panels to harness energy, reducing dependence on batteries and enabling longer missions. Growing environmental concerns and rising energy costs are driving adoption in agriculture, surveillance, and scientific research. Technological innovations in solar cell efficiency, lightweight materials, and aerodynamics are enhancing UAV capabilities. Increasing government support for green aviation initiatives further strengthens market growth.

Research collaborations between aerospace firms, universities, and renewable energy developers are driving next-generation solar UAV designs. Growth in precision agriculture, border surveillance, and environmental monitoring is expanding deployment opportunities. Integration with AI, data analytics, and cloud platforms enhances autonomous operation and mission planning. Miniaturization of solar components and hybrid energy storage systems is improving performance. With rising demand for eco-friendly aerial solutions, solar-powered UAVs are positioned for significant global growth.

Get Customization in the report as per your requirements: https://www.datamintelligence.com/customize/solar-powered-uavs-market?Prasad

Solar-Powered UAVS Market: Major Players
AeroVironment, Inc., Sunbirds, Sunlight Photonics Inc., Bye Aerospace, Silent Falcon UAS Technologies, Alta Devices, Quaternium Technologies, Atlantik Solar, SunPower Corporation and Solar Ship Inc.

Segment Covered in the Solar-Powered UAVS Market:
By Type
Fixed-Wing Solar UAVs dominate with 48% share, driven by long-endurance missions, high energy efficiency, and solar-powered capabilities. Rotorcraft UAVs account for 32%, preferred for vertical takeoff, hovering, and localized surveillance. Umbrella UAVs hold 20%, used in niche applications requiring hybrid features and adaptable payloads. Solar-powered UAV types collectively enable extended flight times and reduced operational costs. Adoption grows as industries seek sustainable and energy-efficient aerial solutions.

By Range
UAVs with up to 300 KM range lead with 55% share, widely deployed for regional mapping, agriculture, and monitoring applications. UAVs above 300 KM capture 45%, mainly for long-endurance surveillance, defense reconnaissance, and cross-border operations. Range selection is influenced by energy storage capacity, payload weight, and mission requirements. Solar energy integration enhances endurance for both short and long-range operations. Overall, longer-range UAVs are gaining interest for continuous flight missions.

By Component
Propulsion systems dominate with 40% share, driven by the integration of solar panels with high-efficiency motors. Airframes account for 25%, optimized for lightweight, durable, and aerodynamic performance. Guidance, navigation, and control systems contribute 20%, enabling precise flight path planning and autonomous navigation. Payload systems hold 15%, supporting sensors, cameras, and communication equipment. Growth in components is fueled by advances in solar technology, battery storage, and lightweight materials.

By Mode of Operation
Autonomous UAVs lead with 60% share, powered by AI-driven flight control and solar energy management systems, reducing human intervention. Semi-autonomous UAVs hold 40%, used in applications where human oversight ensures safety and precision. Autonomous operations are preferred for long-duration missions and repetitive monitoring tasks. Adoption depends on regulatory approvals, safety considerations, and operational complexity. Continuous software and hardware enhancements improve flight efficiency and reliability.

By Application
Commercial applications dominate with 52% share, including agriculture, mapping, environmental monitoring, and logistics. Defense & Military accounts for 48%, leveraging UAVs for surveillance, reconnaissance, and tactical operations. Growth in commercial adoption is driven by energy efficiency, long endurance, and cost savings. Defense adoption is supported by strategic surveillance needs and cross-border monitoring capabilities. Overall, solar-powered UAVs are expanding across both industrial and defense sectors.

Regional Analysis
North America leads with 35% share, supported by advanced solar UAV R&D, commercial agriculture applications, and military programs in the U.S. and Canada. Europe holds 28%, driven by renewable energy initiatives, precision agriculture adoption, and defense modernization in Germany, France, and the UK.

Asia Pacific captures 27%, expanding rapidly due to large-scale agricultural operations, industrial monitoring, and UAV manufacturing in China, Japan, India, and South Korea.

South America accounts for 6%, mainly in Brazil and Argentina, with gradual adoption in agriculture and environmental monitoring.

Middle East & Africa hold 4%, supported by defense investments, renewable energy projects, and emerging UAV applications in GCC countries and South Africa.

Purchase this report before year-end and unlock an exclusive 30% discount:
https://www.datamintelligence.com/buy-now-page?report=solar-powered-uavs-market
(Purchase 2 or more Repots and get 50% Discount)

Request for 2 Days FREE Trial Access:
https://www.datamintelligence.com/reports-subscription?Prasad

✅ Competitive Landscape
✅ Technology Roadmap Analysis
✅ Sustainability Impact Analysis
✅ KOL / Stakeholder Insights
✅ Consumer Behavior & Demand Analysis
✅ Import-Export Data Monitoring
✅ Live Market & Pricing Trends

Have a look at our Subscription Dashboard:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x5oEiqEqTWg

Contact Us -
Company Name: DataM Intelligence
Contact Person: Sai Kiran
Email: Sai.k@datamintelligence.com
Phone: +1 877 441 4866
Website: https://www.datamintelligence.com

About Us -
DataM Intelligence is a Market Research and Consulting firm that provides end-to-end business solutions to organizations from Research to Consulting. We, at DataM Intelligence, leverage our top trademark trends, insights and developments to emancipate swift and astute solutions to clients like you. We encompass a multitude of syndicate reports and customized reports with a robust methodology.
Our research database features countless statistics and in-depth analyses across a wide range of 6300+ reports in 40+ domains creating business solutions for more than 200+ companies across 50+ countries; catering to the key business research needs that influence the growth trajectory of our vast clientele.

This release was published on openPR.