Perovskite Solar Modules Deployed at DoD Cyber Exercise: Swift Solar Demonstrates Tactical Energy Potential

In a notable intersection of renewable energy innovation and military readiness, Swift Solar has deployed its lightweight perovskite photovoltaic (PV) modules during a U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) cyber exercise in Virginia. The demonstration marks one of the first field uses of perovskite solar technology in a defense context and highlights the growing interest in resilient, mobile energy systems for expeditionary operations.

Perovskite Photovoltaics Enter the Tactical Arena

Perovskite solar cells—named after the crystal structure they mimic—have long been hailed as a next-generation PV technology due to their high efficiency-to-weight ratio and low manufacturing costs. Unlike traditional silicon-based panels, perovskites can be printed on flexible substrates using roll-to-roll processes. This makes them particularly attractive for defense applications where portability and rapid deployment are crucial.

Swift Solar’s demonstration took place during the 2024 Cyber Quest exercise hosted at Fort Gordon (soon to be Fort Eisenhower), Georgia—not Virginia as initially reported by some outlets. Cyber Quest is an annual event led by Army Futures Command and the U.S. Army Cyber Center of Excellence to evaluate emerging technologies that support multi-domain operations (MDO), including contested logistics and resilient communications.

The company deployed several perovskite modules integrated into portable microgrid kits designed to power edge computing nodes and secure communications gear. These systems were tested under simulated cyber-contested conditions to evaluate their resilience and utility in austere environments.

Energy Resilience as a Battlefield Imperative

The U.S. military has increasingly prioritized energy resilience as a key enabler of operational effectiveness—particularly in scenarios where fuel convoys are vulnerable or resupply is limited. According to the 2022 DoD Climate Adaptation Plan and recent Army Climate Strategy documents, integrating renewables into forward-deployed units is essential for reducing logistical burdens and improving survivability.

“Expeditionary forces need power that moves with them,” said Dr. Joel Jean, CEO of Swift Solar. “Our lightweight modules can be deployed quickly without heavy infrastructure or fuel dependency.” Jean also noted that perovskites offer better performance under diffuse light conditions compared to conventional silicon panels—an advantage in forested or overcast operational theaters.

During Cyber Quest 2024, Swift’s modules were used alongside battery storage units and hybrid generators to form modular microgrids supporting command post operations. The goal was not only to assess power output but also integration with networked sensors and command-and-control (C2) systems under electronic warfare (EW) stressors.

Technical Advantages Over Traditional PV Systems

While still pre-commercial in many sectors due to durability challenges, perovskites have made rapid strides in lab-tested efficiencies—exceeding 25% for single-junction cells as of early 2024 according to NREL data. Swift Solar’s proprietary tandem cell architecture aims for >30% efficiency by layering different bandgap materials atop each other—a design well-suited for maximizing output from limited surface areas like vehicle roofs or rucksacks.

• Weight: Perovskite modules weigh less than 1 kg/m² versus ~10–12 kg/m² for framed silicon panels.
• Flexibility: Can be mounted on curved or irregular surfaces; ideal for tents or UAV wings.
• Thermal Performance: Lower temperature coefficients than silicon mean better performance in hot climates.
• Spectral Response: Broader absorption spectrum improves output under low-light or shaded conditions.

The main technical hurdle remains long-term stability under UV exposure and moisture ingress—issues which Swift claims it has addressed through advanced encapsulation techniques developed with ARPA-E funding since 2019.

Tactical Microgrids Meet Cyber-Contested Environments

The decision to deploy these modules during a cyber-focused exercise underscores another key trend: convergence between energy infrastructure and digital resilience. As battlefield networks become more distributed—and adversaries target critical infrastructure via EW or malware—the ability to operate independently from centralized grids becomes vital.

Cyber Quest scenarios included simulated jamming attacks on GPS signals and attempts to disrupt power management software via spoofed sensor inputs. The microgrids incorporating Swift’s PV tech were evaluated for their ability to maintain uptime and autonomously reconfigure loads when communication links were severed—a capability known as “islanding.”

This aligns with broader DoD interest in “cyber-informed engineering” approaches where physical infrastructure is designed with embedded cybersecurity features from inception—not bolted on after deployment.

DARPA, DIU Among Agencies Watching Closely

The demonstration drew observers from multiple defense innovation entities including the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU), DARPA’s Energy Web program team, Army Rapid Capabilities Office (RCO), and representatives from Project Pele—the mobile nuclear reactor initiative exploring hybrid energy architectures for forward bases.

No formal procurement announcements have yet followed the demo; however, sources familiar with the matter told MiliVox that follow-on evaluations may occur at Yuma Proving Ground later this year under Project Convergence experimentation tracks focused on logistics autonomy and persistent ISR nodes powered by renewables.

Implications for Future Force Design

If proven viable at scale, perovskite-based systems could reshape how expeditionary forces approach power generation—reducing reliance on diesel logistics tails while enabling more agile force packages operating independently across dispersed terrain (“lily pad” basing).

This would complement ongoing efforts such as the U.S. Marine Corps’ “Expeditionary Advanced Base Operations” (EABO) concept or SOCOM’s push toward silent watch capabilities using hybrid-electric vehicles paired with organic generation assets like foldable PV arrays or kinetic chargers.

Ahead: From Demo to Deployment?

The path from prototype demo to program-of-record adoption remains long—but initiatives like this underscore how dual-use clean tech is increasingly intersecting with national security imperatives. With continued maturation of encapsulation durability—and validation through soldier feedback loops—the prospect of fieldable perovskites may soon move from lab bench curiosity to standard kit item within modular sustainment packages across services.