Solar-Powered UAVS Market Size, Share, Industry, Forecast and outlook (2024-2031)

Global Solar-Powered UAVS Market is segmented By Type (Fixed-Wing Solar (UAVs), Rotorcraft UAV, Umbrella UAV), By Range (Up to 300 KM, Above 300 KM), By Component (Propulsion System, Airframe, Guidance Navigation, Control System, Payload), By Mode of Operation (Semi-Autonomous, Autonomous), By Application (Commercial, Defense & Military), and By Region (North America, South America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East, and Africa) – Share, Size, Outlook, and Opportunity Analysis, 2023-2030

Solar-Powered UAVS Market Size

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.

Solar-powered UAVs are a more environmentally friendly alternative to typical fuel-powered drones since they use renewable solar energy for propulsion. The growing emphasis on sustainability and lowering carbon emissions promotes demand for solar-powered unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), notably in environmental monitoring, agricultural, and conservation applications. 

North America is among the growing regions in the global solar-powered UAVS market covering more than 1/3rd of the market owing to precision agriculture is a rapidly growing sector in North America that prioritizes efficient and sustainable agricultural practices. Solar-powered unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) may do crop monitoring, aerial imagery, and precise spraying. These UAVs can help farmers optimize irrigation, fertilization, and pest control, resulting in higher yields and better resource management.

Solar-Powered UAVS Market Scope

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Solar-Powered UAVS Market Dynamics

Increased Demand From Applications, Both Commercial And Non-Commercial

Drones are highly beneficial for disaster management since they can quickly and easily give a birds-eye perspective of the whole impacted region. Drones deliver real-time videos to first responders, giving them an understanding of the situation right away. This aids in their comprehension of the amount of harm done to the transportation and logistics systems as well as infrastructure. 

Locating people who are stuck or trapped may be assisted by drones. This aids the crisis management team in organizing rescue operations and making optimum use of their available resources. Drones in disaster management can also help trapped individuals find safe places to go and even drop off first aid medical supplies.

The popularity of solar-powered UAVs is being driven by the growing focus on sustainability and the necessity for clean energy solutions. Organizations from a variety of industries are looking for solutions to lessen the environmental effect of their operations and their carbon footprint. Solar-powered UAVs support these objectives by using sustainable solar energy, making them appealing choices for both commercial and non-commercial purposes.

Increasing Innovations in UAV Technology

UAV technological advancements have enabled it easier to combine solar-powered UAVs with other cutting-edge technologies. For instance, integrating solar-powered UAVs with cloud computing, the Internet of Things (IoT), and artificial intelligence (AI) technologies creates new opportunities for real-time data analysis, remote control, and teamwork operations, which increases the market potential for solar-powered UAVs.

The previous five decades have seen incredible developments in drone (also known as unmanned aerial vehicle, or "UAV") technology. One key driver of the increased interest, particularly among customer-focused, internet-based businesses, has been cheaper and faster delivery. Amazon completed its first drone delivery in 2016, and other businesses are following suit. 

By 2022, clients may anticipate 620,000 drone shipments, according to data from Intelligent Automation. UAVs are by no means solely used for package delivery. Currently, drones are used in firefighting to lessen the danger to human firefighters, in distant surgical centers to transfer supplies, and in medicine to quickly address an emergency.

Expensive Integration of Technology & Low Operational Efficiency 

Solar-powered UAVs may have limited operational flexibility owing to the requirement for enough sunlight availability. To sustain flight operations and charge their batteries, they need a specific number of daylight hours. Owing to this, their operational windows may be confined, and they may not be suited for applications that call for continuous or 24-hour operation.

As solar-powered UAV technology has advanced, more efficiency and power output improvements are still possible. The improvement of solar panel efficiency, energy storage capacity, and power management systems is the subject of ongoing research and development. Continued development in these fields may be able to overcome some of the drawbacks and raise the operational effectiveness of solar-powered UAVs.

Solar-Powered UAVS Market Segmentation Analysis

The global solar-powered UAVs market is segmented based on type, range, component, mode of operation, application and region.

Rising Demand For Commercial Application

The commercial sector has seen a significant increase in the usage of solar-powered UAVs for environmental monitoring and conservation leading it to cover nearly 1/3rd at the global level. These UAVs are used for activities including wildlife tracking, mapping, vegetation analysis, and environmental surveys. The capacity of solar-powered UAVs to fly for extended periods and gather data in distant or difficult settings has made them useful instruments in environmental monitoring initiatives.

Furthermore, UAVs driven by solar energy are less expensive than those fueled by conventional gasoline. They greatly minimize or completely do away with the requirement for fossil fuels, which brings down operating expenses. Solar-powered UAVs are appealing to commercial sectors that demand frequent or protracted flights, such as aerial photography, infrastructure inspection, and agriculture, because of this cost-benefit.

Global Solar-Powered UAVS Market Geographical Share

North America Growing Commercial and Military & Defense Application

The commercial application of UAVs for a variety of operational purposes, such as delivering goods to customers in their respective regions, is becoming more and more common. This is what is primarily driving the expansion of the North American market. There has been a tremendous push in North America toward solar power and other renewable energy sources. Governments, organizations, and people are putting more effort into lowering carbon emissions and encouraging sustainable lifestyles. The use of solar-powered UAVs, which provide an airborne platform that is clean and ecologically beneficial, is in line with this push toward renewable energy.

Furthermore, drone transportation of human material is being tested by certain healthcare facilities. Additionally, the military is quite interested in UAVs. Drone submarines are now used by the U.S. Navy, for instance. Here, we examine a few UAV uses that are already in use as well as some that may arise in the future, as well as the intelligent automation technology that underpins this rapidly developing industry.

The biggest UAVs are those used for reconnaissance. These UAVs are used by the military. They are launched from the ground, are about 16 feet long, weigh about 2,200 pounds, and can fly for 52 hours at an altitude of 35,000 feet. The price ranges from around US$200,000 to almost US$4 million. UAVs can run on batteries, gas, propane, jet fuel, hydrogen fuel cells, or other fuel sources, depending on their size, range needs, and role. Currently, a drone can carry a payload of up to 400 kg (882 lbs) in weight.

Solar-Powered UAVS Market Companies

The major global players include AeroVironment, Inc., Sunbirds, Sunlight Photonics Inc., Bye Aerospace, Silent Falcon UAS Technologies, Alta Devices, Quaternium Technologies, Atlantik Solar, SunPower Corporation and Solar Ship Inc.

COVID-19 Impact On Solar-Powered UAVS Market Growth

COVID-19 has impacted global supply chains, which has had an impact on the manufacture and distribution of parts and materials needed for solar-powered UAVs. The availability and prompt deployment of solar-powered UAVs has been impacted by limitations on production, logistics, and shipping, which have caused delays and shortages. 

Furthermore, for businesses and governments, the pandemic's impact on the economy has lowered budgets and increased investment uncertainty. This has made it more difficult for them to fund new initiatives, such as the use of solar-powered UAVs. Budgetary restrictions and cost-cutting initiatives have significantly interrupted market expansion

Key Developments

• On August 17, 2022, AeroVironment, Inc., an industry developer in intelligent, multi-domain robotic systems, said that it had acquired Planck Aerosystems, Inc. ("Planck"), a premier supplier of cutting-edge unmanned aircraft navigation technologies. AeroVironment's advancement of its autonomous capabilities will be sped up greatly by the acquisition.
• On February 22, 2021, AeroVironment, Inc., a leader in unmanned aircraft systems and a leading designer and producer of high-performance UAS, today announced the completion of its acquisition of Arcturus UAV, Inc. A news statement from January 13, 2021, first detailed the about $405 million deal.
• On November 2, 2020, Bye Aerospace, Inc., the company behind the all-electric eFlyer and Envoy family of aircraft, said that it had entered into agreements with Seoul, South Korea-based Aerospace9, under which Aerospace9 had committed to invest in Bye Aerospace. By agreeing to purchase deposit agreements for 300 Bye Aerospace aircraft, Aerospace9 has also made a significant commitment to the Asian market opportunity. The investment in Aerospace9 could require government permission.

Why Purchase the Report?

• To visualize the global solar-powered UAVs market segmentation based on type, range, component, mode of operation, application and region, as well as understand key commercial assets and players.
• Identify commercial opportunities by analyzing trends and co-development. 
• Excel data sheet with numerous data points of solar-powered UAVs market-level with all segments.
• PDF report consists of a comprehensive analysis after exhaustive qualitative interviews and an in-depth study.
• Product mapping available as Excel consisting of key technologies of all the major players.

The global solar-powered UAVs market report would provide approximately 78 tables, 76 figures and 181 Pages.

Target Audience 2023

• Manufacturers/ Buyers
• Industry Investors/Investment Bankers
• Research Professionals
• Emerging Companies