The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency has partnered with Magnolia Optical Technologies to develop a photovoltaic system under a Small Business Innovation Research effort.

The company said it aims to build power generator for military and commercial applications via the Phase II SBIR Program for Development of High-Performance Thin-Film Solar Cells for Portable Power Applications.

A PV device can help power unmanned aircraft, remote sensors and equipment of dismounted troops.

“The goal of the current program is to develop high-efficiency GaAs-based solar cells that maintain their performance over changing environmental conditions,” said Roger Welser, chief technical officer of Magnolia.

Magnolia President Ashok Sood said the platform under development seeks to address key challenges associated with solar PV technology.

The Massachusetts-based company develops thin-film and nanostructure-based optical technologies for both defense and industrial use.