Hanwha Qcells has announced that it will supply its perovskite-silicon tandem solar cells for a lunar surface solar power demonstration project, aiming to test the technology’s viability in the harsh conditions of space. Hanwha Q CELLS GmbH, the company’s German unit, will provide perovskite-based tandem cell samples for the Space Science & Technology Evaluation Facility - First Flight Lunar In-Situ Solar Cell Experiment (SSTEF-1), a project funded by NASA and led by US-based Aegis Aerospace Inc.
The Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI), a nonprofit applied research unit under the Georgia Institute of Technology, selected Hanwha Qcells’ tandem devices for this mission to evaluate solar cell performance beyond Earth. The samples will be mounted on the surface of a lunar lander and exposed directly to the space environment, including vacuum, extreme temperature swings, ultraviolet radiation and cosmic radiation, in order to gather real-world performance and reliability data.
Hanwha Qcells plans to use the in‑situ lunar data to guide its R&D roadmap for highly reliable space solar power technologies. Hanwha Qcells is targeting commercialization of its tandem products for terrestrial use by 2029, while in parallel looking to expand the technology into the emerging space solar power sector. The company is already testing its tandem modules outdoors at its Thalheim R&D center and at an independent third‑party site, where they have reportedly maintained stable power generation for about one year and six months, respectively.
“Space solar power is not only a future energy source that can effectively respond to rapidly growing electricity demand beyond the limits of terrestrial solar power, but also a platform industry with major ripple effects across key industries closely linked to security, including AI data centers, defense and communications,” said Park Seung-deok, CEO of Hanwha Qcells. He added that this project will serve as an important turning point in expanding the potential of sustainable energy into space, as the company leverages its manufacturing and technology base to position itself as a global renewable energy solutions provider for both Earth and orbit.
