The U.S. Department of Defense (DoD), in collaboration with Swift Solar, has initiated the first-ever field deployment of perovskite solar technology for military use within the United States. This milestone marks a significant step toward lightweight, high-efficiency renewable energy solutions tailored for expeditionary operations and forward-deployed forces.
Perovskites Enter the Battlefield
Perovskite-based photovoltaic (PV) cells represent a new generation of solar technology that promises higher efficiency-to-weight ratios than traditional silicon-based panels. Unlike rigid crystalline silicon modules, perovskites can be fabricated on flexible substrates using roll-to-roll manufacturing processes—making them ideal for mobile and tactical applications.
In this pilot deployment at Camp Pendleton in California—home to the I Marine Expeditionary Force—the Swift Solar team installed flexible perovskite modules as part of a demonstration supported by the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) and funded through the Operational Energy Capability Improvement Fund (OECIF). The project is part of a broader Pentagon push to reduce reliance on fossil fuels in contested or remote environments.
Why Perovskites Matter for Military Energy Strategy
Energy logistics remain one of the most vulnerable aspects of modern military operations. According to a 2009 Army Environmental Policy Institute report, over half of U.S. casualties in Iraq between 2003–2007 were related to fuel supply convoys. Reducing liquid fuel dependency through renewables like solar can dramatically enhance force protection and operational endurance.
Traditional PV systems are often too heavy or fragile for front-line use. In contrast, perovskite modules offer:
- Ultra-lightweight design: Up to 10x lighter than silicon panels
- High power-to-weight ratio: Critical for airborne or foot-mobile units
- Flexible form factor: Enables integration into tents, vehicles, or soldier kits
- Lower temperature sensitivity: Maintains performance under heat stress
- Simplified logistics: Easier transport and rapid deployment
This makes perovskites especially attractive for special operations forces (SOF), remote outposts, disaster response missions, and unmanned systems requiring persistent power without resupply.
The Role of Swift Solar and DoD Innovation Pathways
Palo Alto-based Swift Solar is among several U.S. startups racing to commercialize stable perovskite cells with competitive lifespans and efficiencies exceeding 20%. Founded by researchers from MIT and Stanford—including alumni from NREL’s pioneering perovskite research—the company has received support from ARPA-E as well as private investors like Breakthrough Energy Ventures.
The Camp Pendleton demo was facilitated by DIU’s Energy Portfolio team under its “Energy Resilience” initiative—aimed at accelerating dual-use technologies into defense applications without lengthy acquisition cycles. The effort also aligns with broader DoD goals under Executive Order 14057 to electrify operations and decarbonize federal infrastructure by mid-century.
Tackling Durability Concerns in Harsh Environments
A persistent challenge facing perovskite PV is environmental durability—especially moisture ingress that degrades performance over time. For defense use cases involving desert heat or maritime humidity, encapsulation becomes mission-critical.
To address this, Swift Solar has developed proprietary barrier films and multilayer coatings designed to extend operational lifetimes beyond two years—a key threshold cited by DARPA’s “SHIELD” program targeting survivable hybrid energy systems.
The Camp Pendleton trial includes real-time monitoring of degradation rates under field conditions using embedded sensors—a data-driven approach that will inform future ruggedization efforts across services.
The Road Ahead: Scaling Tactical Renewable Power
If successful at scale, lightweight perovskite arrays could become standard kit across expeditionary units—powering sensors, radios, UAV recharging stations or even microgrids at forward operating bases (FOBs).
- The Army’s Rapid Capabilities Office is exploring similar tech under its Contested Logistics initiative
- The Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) is testing high-altitude UAV wing-embedded PV using tandem perovskites
- Navy interest centers on shipboard auxiliary power reduction via flexible solar skins
The Pentagon’s FY2024 budget includes $70 million earmarked for Operational Energy R&D—much of which targets scalable renewables integrated with AI-enabled microgrid management platforms such as SPIDERS or JENNY Grid.
