Alta Devices Partners with Airware to Integrate Solar Power in Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

Alta Devices has partnered with Airware to enable manufacturers of small unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) to integrate solar power into their aircraft. Alta Devices' record solar cell efficiency is 28.8% and can increase flight endurance by more than four times. With certain designs, the company's technology can help a UAV fly all day under sunny conditions.

Airware offers hardware, software and cloud services for the development and operation of commercial drones. With this partnership, according to the company, designers and manufacturers will be able to use Alta Devices' AnyLight solar cell technology in a wide variety of applications.

“This fundamentally changes the utility of small unmanned systems in a number of end markets,” said Rich Kapusta, vice president of Sales and Marketing for Alta Devices. “For precision agriculture, search and rescue, or land surveying, UAVs need to fly longer and farther than today’s systems provide.  The most effective way to increase endurance is by adding solar, and Airware and Alta Devices are making that possible.”

For more information, visit Alta Devices.

Sources: Press materials received from the company and additional information gleaned from the company’s website.