Market Definition
The market encompasses unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) that utilize renewable energy sources such as solar power or hydrogen fuel cells for power system and operations.
These drones are designed for extended flight durations and reduced environmental impact, making them suitable for applications such as infrastructure inspection, environmental monitoring, and data collection across sectors, including renewable energy, agriculture, and logistics The report highlights key market drivers, major trends, regulatory frameworks, and the competitive landscape shaping the industry.
Renewable Energy Powered Drone Market Overview
The global renewable energy powered drone market size was valued at USD 46.1 million in 2024 and is projected to grow from USD 58.8 million in 2025 to USD 334.64 million by 2032, exhibiting a CAGR of 28.20% during the forecast period.
The market is witnessing significant growth as industries are increasingly prioritizing sustainability and low-emission technologies. Growing concerns over carbon footprints are prompting governments and private sectors to adopt eco-friendly drone solutions.
Major companies operating in the renewable energy powered drone industry are AeroVironment, Inc, Garuda Aerospace Pvt. Ltd, Airbus, XSun, Sunlight Aerospace, Kea Aerospace, Skyfront, MISTRAS Group Inc, Delair, Flyability SA, Intel Corporation and 3DR, Inc.
Additionally, Advancements in solar-powered drone technology are fueling market expansion. Government initiatives promoting development and sustainable surveillance solutions are further supporting market growth.
- In December 2023, NewSpace Research and Technologies Pvt Ltd successfully completed the maiden 21-hour flight of its solar-powered High Altitude Pseudo-Satellite (HAPS) drone. Developed under India’s iDEX (Innovation for Defence Excellence) initiative, the project aims to create long-endurance drones for stratosphere operations.
Key Highlights:
- The renewable energy powered drone industry size was recorded at USD 46.1 million in 2024.
- The market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 28.20% from 2025 to 2032.
- North America held a market share of 45.37% in 2024, with a valuation of USD 20.9 million.
- The multirotor drones segment garnered USD 26.0 million in revenue in 2024.
- The solar-powered drones segment is expected to reach USD 275.54 million by 2032.
- The agriculture segment secured the largest revenue share of 24.51% in 2024.
- The end-to-end solutions segment is estimated to register a valuation of USD 211.4 million by 2032.
- Asia Pacific is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 29.81% over the forecast period.
Market Driver
Growing Focus on Reducing Air Pollution
The growing emphasis on reducing air pollution is supporting advancements in the renewable energy powered drone market. As environmental concerns escalate, governments, regulatory bodies, and industries are emphasizing the need to transition to cleaner technologies.
Renewable energy drones, particularly those powered by solar or hydrogen sources, are emerging as viable solutions due to their zero-emission operations. These drones help minimize reliance on fossil fuels, making them ideal for applications in surveillance, agriculture, and mapping while supporting global sustainability goals.
- According to Invest India, air passenger traffic is expected to reach 860 million by FY2030. Jet-fuel powered aircraft account for approximately 2.5% of global carbon dioxide emissions.
Market Challenge
Limited Energy Storage Capabilities
A major challenge hampering the development of the renewable energy powered drone market is limited energy storage capabilities. Although these drones utilize solar or other renewable sources, their onboard batteries often lack the capacity to store sufficient energy for extended flights.
This issue is exacerbated in cloudy or adverse weather, reducing energy generation and hindering long-duration operations in applications such as surveillance, mapping, and remote inspections.
To address this challenge, companies are developing advanced battery technologies with higher energy densities and faster charging capabilities. They are also integrating hybrid power systems that combine solar energy with backup lithium-ion or hydrogen fuel cells to ensure consistent performance. Additionally, innovations in lightweight materials and power-efficient drone components are helping reduce energy consumption, enabling longer flight times.
Market Trend
Next-Generation Solar Drone Innovation
Next-generation solar drone innovation is transforming the renewable energy powered drone market by focusing on enhanced energy efficiency and extended flight durations.
Advances in lightweight solar panels and improved battery integration are enabling drones to operate longer with reduced environmental impact. These technological improvements are expanding the applications of solar-powered drones across sectors such as surveillance, agriculture, and disaster management.
- In September 2024, Maraal Aerospace Pvt Ltd, an IIT Kanpur incubated startup, showcased its innovative Solar Powered Fixed Wing Drone, the MARAAL-3. Capable of 12-16 hours of endurance and a maximum altitude of 5 kilometers, the drone supports diverse applications including ISR, maritime research, search and rescue, and precision agriculture. Equipped with advanced sensors and cameras, MARAAL-3 offers extended flight time through efficient solar power extraction and battery use, marking a significant advancement in India’s UAV technology.
Renewable Energy Powered Drone Market Report Snapshot
|
Segmentation
|
Details
|
|
By Drone Type
|
Fixed-Wing Drones, Multirotor Drones, Quadcopter Drones
|
|
By Technology
|
Solar-Powered Drones, Wind-Powered Drones
|
|
By Application
|
Agriculture, Environmental Monitoring, Surveillance and Security, Infrastructure Inspection
|
|
By Solution
|
End-to-End Solutions, Point Solutions
|
|
By Region
|
North America: U.S., Canada, Mexico
|
|
Europe: France, UK, Spain, Germany, Italy, Russia, Rest of Europe
|
|
Asia-Pacific: China, Japan, India, Australia, ASEAN, South Korea, Rest of Asia-Pacific
|
|
Middle East & Africa: Turkey, U.A.E., Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Rest of Middle East & Africa
|
|
South America: Brazil, Argentina, Rest of South America
|
Market Segmentation:
- By Drone Type (Fixed-Wing Drones, Multirotor Drones, and Quadcopter Drones): The multirotor drones segment earned USD 26.0 million in 2024 due to their high maneuverability and suitability for short-range, precision tasks.
- By Technology (Solar-Powered Drones and Wind-Powered Drones): The solar-powered drones segment held a share of 81.36% in 2024, largely attributed to their ability to leverage abundant solar energy for extended flight durations.
- By Application (Agriculture, Environmental Monitoring, Surveillance and Security, and Infrastructure Inspection): The surveillance and security segment is projected to reach USD 110.8 million by 2032, propelled by the growing demand for persistent aerial monitoring in defense and border control.
- By Solution (End-to-End Solutions and Point Solutions): The end-to-end solutions segment held a share of 61.53% in 2024, fostered by the rising preference for integrated systems that streamline deployment and maintenance.
Regional Analysis
Based on region, the market has been classified into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa, and South America.
The North America renewable energy powered drone market accounted for a share of around 45.37% in 2024, valued at USD 20.9 million. This dominance is reinforced by rapid advancements in autonomous flight technologies and increasing focus on renewable energy-powered aerial systems.
The region is witnessing significant interest from government and defense sector long-endurance, emission-free drones for surveillance, national security, and environmental monitoring. Growing investments in cutting-edge UAV capabilities and supportive regulatory frameworks are enabling the deployment of innovative, solar-powered drones capable of operating for extended periods without human intervention.
Additionally, the focus on reducing carbon emissions and improving surveillance efficiency is boosting the adoption of renewable energy drones across both defense and commercial sectors.
- In April 2024, Skydweller Aero completed the world’s first successful autonomous flight of a large-scale solar-powered aircraft in the United States. With a wingspan that of a 747 and the capability for perpetual, zero-emission flight, the aircraft achieved fully autonomous takeoff, flight, and landing. This milestone marks a major advancement in long-endurance, zero-emission UAV capabilities for national security, communications, and environmental applications.
The Asia-Pacific renewable energy powered drone industry is set to grow at a robust CAGR of 29.81% over the forecast period. This growth is fueled by government-led initiatives promoting the adoption of clean energy drone technologies for agriculture, surveillance, and disaster response.
Countries such as India and China are investing in renewable-powered UAVs for applications such as crop monitoring, border patrolling, and environmental assessment. Supportive policies, increased funding for indigenous drone development, and expanding renewable energy infrastructure are supporting broader deployment.
Regulatory Frameworks
- In the U.S., the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) serves as the primary regulatory authority for drones, including those powered by renewable energy sources such as solar. The FAA's regulations apply to both recreational and commercial drone operations, ensuring safety and compliance in the airspace.
- In India, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) oversees drone regulations, ensuring the safe and efficient integration of drones into national airspace.
- In the UK, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) regulates drone operations, including those powered by renewable energy, ensuring safety and compliance. For commercial use, operators must register and obtain appropriate certifications, adhere to flight restrictions such as remaining below 400 feet and within visual line of sight, and comply with data protection laws.
- In Japan, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) regulates the use of drones, including those powered by renewable energy. Operators must register their drones with the MLIT and comply with various regulations, including those related to flight zones, altitudes, and flight logs.
Competitive Landscape
Major players in the renewable energy powered drone industry are focusing on strategic acquisitions of specialized drone manufacturers to enhance their technological capabilities.
They are investing in the development of heavy-lift, all-electric drones and exploring partnerships to advance solar-powered, long-endurance unmanned systems. Additionally, they are expanding product portfolios, improving operational efficiency, and strengthening their market position.
- In February 2024, BAE Systems acquired Malloy Aeronautics, a producer of heavy-lift electric drones, as part of its strategy to expand into the unmanned systems market. The acquisition follows a two-year collaboration on all-electric quadcopters designed for logistics and potential weapons deployment. This move complements BAE’s earlier acquisition of a solar-powered, high-altitude drone developer and partnerships in advanced drone technologies.
List of Key Companies in Renewable Energy Powered Drone Market:
- AeroVironment, Inc
- Garuda Aerospace Pvt. Ltd
- Airbus
- XSun,
- Sunlight Aerospace
- Kea Aerospace
- Skyfront
- MISTRAS Group Inc
- Delair
- Flyability SA
- Intel Corporation
- 3DR, Inc.
Recent Developments (M&A/Partnerships/Agreements/New Product Launch)
- In February 2025, Bengaluru-based Skylark Drones advanced India’s solar energy sector by deploying AI-powered drones to automate solar panel inspections, detect defects, and optimize performance. This innovation supports the government’s ‘PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana,’ the world’s largest rooftop solar initiative targeting the electrification of 10 million households by March 2027. Skylark’s technology enhances data accuracy, reduces costs, and improves worker safety, accelerating the growth and efficiency of renewable energy infrastructure across India.
- In February 2025, Ascendance and Delair collaborated to develop a hybrid-electric fixed-wing observation drone demonstrator for the French Defense Procurement Agency’s missile testing center. This joint initiative aims to modernize observation capabilities by integrating Ascendance’s STERNA hybrid propulsion technology with Delair’s expertise in professional UAVs. The hybrid drone is designed to optimize technical performance and reduce carbon footprint, supporting both civilian and military long-range inspection missions on land and at sea.
- In April 2025, Hydrogen Ukraine partnered with HRUN Drone to develop sustainable UAV solutions powered by hydrogen fuel cells. This collaboration focuses on creating zero-emission drones with water as the only byproduct, integrating solar-powered charging stations, recycled plastic components, and eco-friendly infrastructure, advancing sustainability and next-generation drone technologies.
- In October 2024, the U.S. Army awarded USD 20 million for the procurement of long-endurance, solar-powered unmanned aircraft systems through the APFIT program. These drones, equipped with onboard artificial intelligence, provide extended flight capabilities and zero emissions while supporting communications, electronic warfare, and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions across the Pacific theater. This procurement underscores growing military reliance on renewable energy-powered drones to enhance operational efficiency and sustainability in dynamic environments
- In June 2024, Axiscades Technologies secured a USD 11.9 million order to supply Man Portable Counter Drone Systems to the Indian Army. The systems, capable of detecting and jamming drones up to 5 kilometers, are powered by both battery and main power supply. Deliveries are expected to be completed by the end of 2024, highlighting advancements in drone technology and security solutions for defense applications.
- In March 2024, IIT Kanpur introduced 'MARAAL,' India’s first solar-powered UAV designed for low-altitude, long-endurance flights. Combining solar cells with batteries, MARAAL extends flight endurance for prolonged missions. This development highlights significant progress in sustainable UAV technology and renewable energy adoption.
