Focusing on space photovoltaics! Experts discuss perovskite

When the imagination of photovoltaic technology reaches for the stars and the ocean of the universe, the frontier field of space photovoltaics is sparking unprecedented industry enthusiasm.

On March 26, the 11th Perovskite and Tandem Cell (Yangtze River Delta) Industrialization Forum and the First Space Photovoltaic Technology and Application Innovation Forum opened in Wuxi, Jiangsu, turning this “hot” idea into a discussion of practical industry applications.

Experts at the conference believe that perovskite solar cells, with their high efficiency potential, lightweight design, and ability to be layered, are seen as ideal candidates for opening the door to space energy. However, the path to space still requires overcoming technical hurdles such as extreme environment resistance, lightweight design, and stability. Currently, industry players are accelerating their technical reserves and promoting on-orbit testing of related products.

Development Potential of Space Photovoltaics Becomes a Hot Topic

Guided by the Perovskite Industry Branch of the China International Science and Technology Promotion Association and hosted by the Photovoltaic Leaders Forum, this forum is the industry’s first focused on the concept of space photovoltaics, and it features the inaugural space photovoltaic themed session. The forum explores the application potential, current development status, and future trends of photovoltaic modules in space scenarios from multiple dimensions.

“Space photovoltaics undoubtedly open up a whole new application scenario for solar energy. The future development space of this scenario is very promising, and the practical deployment of related products is equally impressive,” said Yu Zhenrui, co-founder and president of Jidian Optoelectronics, in an interview with the Shanghai Securities Journal.

In Yu Zhenrui’s view, the inherent characteristics of perovskite photovoltaic products make them highly suitable for space photovoltaic scenarios. These products have high theoretical conversion efficiency limits, are lightweight and ultra-thin, and can be combined with crystalline silicon to form higher-efficiency tandem cells, making them well-suited for space photovoltaic applications.

Shengneng Photovoltaic Storage Chief Scientist Shi Yantao also mentioned on-site that with the development of human space activities, space photovoltaics, as a core component of space energy systems, are experiencing unprecedented development opportunities. Perovskite-silicon tandem technology, with its advantages in efficiency, cost, lightweight, and flexibility, is expected to play an important role in the future of space photovoltaics, providing solid technical support for humanity’s exploration of the universe and space energy development.

However, industry experts also believe that expanding photovoltaic modules from ground applications to space scenarios still requires overcoming a series of technical challenges.

Wu Xiaosong, Director of Strategic Development Research Institute at Jinchen Co., Ltd., stated that perovskite tandem batteries need to achieve key technological breakthroughs in four areas: extreme environment resistance, lightweight design, long-term stability, and balancing large-area production with efficiency and cost.

“High-energy particle radiation, extreme temperature differences, and high vacuum in space pose severe tests to photovoltaic modules. From a launch perspective, space photovoltaic modules need to be significantly lighter to reduce launch costs. Additionally, repairing and replacing modules in space is extremely difficult, which demands higher long-term stability. Moreover, space photovoltaic panels must accommodate high power and large size, but large-area manufacturing often leads to increased costs and efficiency fluctuations. Finding the optimal balance between these factors is particularly critical,” Wu explained further.

Tian Qingyong, CEO and co-founder of GCL Photovoltaic, stated on-site that the company is verifying module performance through on-orbit testing and accumulating original data, opening new avenues for the space application of perovskite modules.

“Going forward, the company will continue investing in R&D and conducting research in the space photovoltaic field, ensuring sufficient technical reserves,” Yu Zhenrui told reporters. Overall, the development of space photovoltaic products will proceed in multiple stages. Currently, the company is in the technology development phase, working on targeted technical development and preparation based on the various application needs and standards of space photovoltaics, leveraging the world’s largest perovskite R&D center and gigawatt-scale perovskite production lines.

Perovskite Enters a Critical Year for Industrialization

In addition to its application potential in space photovoltaics, several experts shared insights on the current industrialization of perovskite solar cell modules. Yu Zhenrui believes that 2026 will be a crucial year for the industrialization and commercialization breakthroughs of perovskite technology. Relevant companies should deepen technological collaboration, adhere to value-driven competition, promote standardization, and jointly advance high-quality industry development.

During the forum, the launch of four group standards—“Space-Use Monocrystalline Perovskite Solar Cell Modules,” “Testing Methods for Three-Terminal Crystalline Silicon Perovskite Tandem Solar Cells,” “Monocrystalline Perovskite Solar Cell Modules,” and “I-V Testing Methods for Monocrystalline Perovskite Solar Cells”—laid a solid foundation for the standardization of perovskite industry applications.

Shi Yantao stated that over the past decade, perovskite photovoltaic technology has developed rapidly, from initial laboratory exploration to gradual industrialization, achieving leapfrog progress. As a disruptive innovation, perovskite technology is reshaping the global new energy industry landscape. It is not only a key breakthrough for low-cost, high-efficiency photovoltaic applications but has also become a core direction leading future photovoltaic technology development.

“Perovskite photovoltaic technology has crossed the threshold from laboratory to production line,” said Yu Zhenrui. In terms of industrialization, with Jidian Optoelectronics establishing the world’s first gigawatt-scale production line, multiple gigawatt-level lines are either operational or under construction, marking the industry’s rapid move toward large-scale development. In application, China has built several megawatt-scale perovskite photovoltaic power stations, with some projects operating stably for over a year, laying a solid foundation for commercial development.

JinkoSolar Senior Researcher Xu Menglei expressed optimism about the prospects of perovskite tandem cells. In an interview, he mentioned that the company’s perovskite-TOPCon tandem cells have shown excellent performance in multiple stability tests. “Currently, this product is still in the laboratory R&D stage, but it has been verified as one of the key technological paths to break through the efficiency bottleneck of single-crystal silicon cells,” Xu added.

Additionally, a relevant JinkoSolar executive revealed that the company expects to achieve phased large-scale production of perovskite tandem cells within the next three years. The company will continue exploring new materials and device structures to further boost photovoltaic conversion efficiency.

(Source: Shanghai Securities Journal)