Solar Turbines started as an aircraft company in 1927. The company grew through several wars and the Great Depression. Solar’s growth led the company to develop a wide range of innovative products. Today Solar is a key player in the 1,000 to 30,000 horsepower (hp) segment of the global gas turbine market, making it a world-class energy solutions provider. Building on the accomplishments below, Solar Turbines continues to power the future as ONE team.

1927

A pioneering San Diego Company, Solar Aircraft, designed and manufactured aircraft at the dawn of air travel.

1937

Solar leased a plant in National City, CA housing an industrial products company that manufactured automotive air cleaners.

1946

With the end of the war came new efforts to diversify the company’s product line, including milk truck tanks, dairy pasteurizers, film processing machines, coffee brewers, kitchen sinks, popsicle trays, and mini race cars.

1956

Solar developed the Jupiter engine and the 50-hp Mars gas turbine.

1969

Solar went to the moon! The company’s research department crafted exotic metal beryllium cases for the GE 26 System for Nuclear Auxiliary Power 70W electric generators. Five of these cases were placed on the moon by Apollo 12.

1973

Solar developed Solimide high-temperature non-toxic foam. The company also changed its control system to employ integrated circuit and began development of the 10,000 hp Mars engine. This was also the year that Solar phased out the aerospace components and subcontracting business.

1978

The company developed a trailer mounted Saturn 1000 generator, which was capable of providing dual frequency and voltage for use anywhere. It was built for the U.S. Army.

1984

After being named an official subsidiary of Caterpillar Inc., the first Turbotronic control console was introduced. Two years later Solar placed a Turbotronic control system on a Mars engine.

1987-94

Solar launches three new gas turbine models in the late 80s and early 90s: Taurus™ 60, Taurus™ 70, Mars® 100. All three models each have more than 1000 installations and today are part of Solar’s core product lineup.

1997

Solar introduced the 18,300-hp Titan 130 engine featuring new blade and combustion technology, improving part-load heat rate performance and achieving thermal efficiency above 35% on both the single and dual-shaft configurations.

2005

Solar launched Equipment Health Management through InSight™ Platform. It has evolved into an entire ecosystem of digital tools, capabilities and analytics for maximizing machinery uptime and lower lifecycle costs.

2008

Solar introduced the 30,000-hp Titan 250 gas turbine. This design features a compact engine footprint, delivering an impressive power density in a package.

2015

The company installed a 3D virtual immersion lab to assist in rapid development, design and prototype of packaged products.

2018

Solar adds Power Generation Module (PGM) to its product line-up. A simplified design to minimize maintenance and maximize productivity, these factory pre-assembled modules reduce installation and commissioning time on-site.

2019

Solar introduces Solar Mobile Turbomachinery (SMT), a complete mobile power plant for short-term power generation. SMT is ideal for oil field power, remote power, trailer power, and in emergencies, such as natural disasters.

2023
Solar introduces the Titan 350, the newest member of the Titan family, with best-in-class efficiency and up to 39 MW of reliable power.

Solar Turbines Incorporated (STI) articles

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