Five ways that solar-powered drones are changing industries forever

This winter’s mystery drone sightings left many people curious about the small, remotely-controlled aircrafts—and while we may never get to the bottom of those unexplained encounters, there are aerial vehicles that we do know much more about: solar drones. 

Solar drones have been soaring to new heights in recent years, setting records for flight times and offering revolutionary real-time data collection, surveying, mapping, and monitoring for various industries. Let’s take a look at five ways that the sky is truly the limit for solar-powered drones.

Solar drones can fly for hours—or even days—compared to traditional battery-powered drones, which typically have a flight time ranging anywhere from 20 to 55 minutes on a single charge. How do solar drones stay in the air for so long? The answer is simple: their solar panels harness the sun’s energy to remain airborne. The solar panels are built into the drone’s wings or frame and recharge the drone’s batteries while in flight, powering its motor and electronic components for extended periods. 

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Solar-powered drones produce zero emissions by harnessing clean, renewable energy from the sun for sustainable flight. Conventional drones, on the other hand, rely on fossil fuels, rechargeable lithium batteries, or a hybrid propulsion system to support their flight, although hydrogen-powered drones are becoming more prevalent. Thanks to their renewable energy source, solar drones require much less frequent battery charging, reducing their reliance on carbon-intensive electricity grids.

Drones offer an efficient and cost-effective way to transport goods since they require less fuel and labor than human drivers, and can avoid traffic. Recently, Walmart, UPS, and Amazon have begun utilizing drone delivery to better serve their customers. As of now, these companies have yet to capitalize on solar-powered drones, but the technology could offer a promising path toward greener, more efficient deliveries.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) projects that by 2027, the number of commercial drones will grow to 955,000, while the number of recreational drones will reach approximately 1.82 million.

Solar-powered drones, in particular, aren’t limited by their range or power supply. Thanks to their abundant supply of solar power, solar drones can stay in the air for days on a direct flight path to their destination, making them ideal for mass transportation and shipping uses.

Solar drones can increase the efficiency of a variety of processes, from site surveying to environmental monitoring. Compared to a manual inspection, solar drones collect data faster, cover larger areas in a single flight, minimize environmental impact, and lower costs. Solar drones are often equipped with high-resolution cameras, thermal imaging sensors, remote sensing technology, Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR), and GPS to gather highly accurate insights, offering precise thermal and visual data and eliminating human error. 

In Mumbai's Dharavi slums, for instance, drones are being used to accurately survey and document the densely populated area for a community rehabilitation project.

Surveying in treacherous areas—think cliffs, construction zones, disaster areas—also exposes workers to risk. Solar drones can access these areas remotely, keeping humans out of harm’s way.

Thanks to their extended flight times and ability to access hard-to-reach areas, solar drones can assist in data collection for a wide range of environmental, atmospheric, and biodiversity studies. From monitoring atmospheric turbulence to tracking wildlife populations, these drones are uniquely suited for a wide range of research efforts, especially when navigating difficult terrain and minimizing disruption to natural habitats. 

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, for example, has been monitoring the local seal and sea lion populations with drones. These drones help researchers estimate salmon consumption and study the harbor seal diet year-round.

Skydweller Aero

Skydweller Aero, an aerospace company backed by the U.S. Navy, recently completed a 22.5-hour test flight of its “Skydweller” solar-powered drone. The zero-emission drone features a massive 236-foot wingspan, weighs about 5,620 pounds, and is built from lightweight carbon fiber. The successful flight marks a significant step toward long-endurance, sustainable aerial operations for both military and commercial use.

AeroVironment

AeroVironment successfully tested Horus A last year, a solar-powered drone designed for military use, which has been approved by the U.S. Army and FAA for flight testing. An upgraded version of the company’s Sunglider high-altitude drone, Horus A is a type of drone known as a High-Altitude Platform Station (HAPS), designed to carry heavy payloads and transmit real-time data for surveillance and communications purposes.

Airbus

Airbus’s Zephyr is a solar-powered, high-altitude drone developed by its subsidiary Aalto HAPS. The drone recently completed a 13-day flight in the stratosphere over Kenya, testing its ability to deliver 4G and 5G mobile coverage.The company aims to launch Zephyr in 2026 for commercial use, offering solutions for mobile connectivity, environmental monitoring, and observing the planet.

Solar-powered drones allow industries to rise to new heights—literally. These drones are game-changing in their ability to extend flight times, operate sustainably, and optimize operations. While they’re still an emerging technology, we expect to see more advancements and a rise in adoption of solar drones in the coming years.