Mitsubishi Electric to develop next-generation solar cells and arrays under JAXA Space Strategy Fund
Summary points:
- Mitsubishi Electric selected by JAXA to develop domestic solar cells, cover glass, and arrays.
- Project addresses global shortages and high costs of satellite solar components.
- Collaboration with PXP Corp. focuses on tandem perovskite/CIGS solar cells for space use.
TOKYO - Mitsubishi Electric Corp. in Tokyo announced it has been selected as a representative organization for the project "Development of Domestic Solar Cells, Cover Glass, and Solar Arrays" under Japan’s Space Strategy Fund, which is operated by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA). The company has signed a contract with JAXA to carry out the development effort.
The initiative comes as global demand for satellite solar cells and cover glass continues to rise with the expansion of the commercial and government satellite markets, particularly low-Earth orbit constellations. By developing mass-producible solar cells and cover glass domestically, Mitsubishi Electric aims to reduce costs, secure a stable supply, and strengthen the competitiveness of Japan’s space industry.
As part of the project, Mitsubishi Electric will work with domestic suppliers to produce low-cost solar cells at scale. The company will also test glass originally designed for ground-based applications to determine its suitability for the harsh space environment and will develop new solar arrays incorporating the advanced components. The goal is to enable fully integrated domestic production of solar cells, cover glass, and arrays while enhancing the resilience of Japan’s satellite supply chain.
Related: GITAI secures JAXA contract for lunar rover robotic arm study
Collaboration
A key part of the effort is collaboration with Japan-based PXP Corp. in Kanagawa, which specializes in next-generation photovoltaic conversion technologies such as perovskite and copper indium gallium selenide (CIGS) structures. Together, the companies will research tandem perovskite/CIGS solar cells that combine both technologies. These solar cells are expected to maintain high conversion efficiency while offering greater resistance to space radiation than today’s conventional III-V solar cells.
"We are very pleased to have been selected as a representative organization for the Space Strategy Fund," said Natsuki Asano, senior manager at Mitsubishi Electric’s Kamakura Works. "Through the practical implementation of solar arrays equipped with domestically produced solar cells and cover glass that balance low cost and high performance, while ensuring resistance to the space environment and enabling mass production, we will help strengthen Japan’s satellite supply chain and enhance the international competitiveness of the country’s space industry."
