Hanwha Solutions Takes Solar Technology to Space... Develops Satellite Power Solutions with Hanwha Systems

Joint R&D Project Worth KRW 30 Billion
Aiming for Satellite Constellation Commercialization After 2029

The Qcells Division of Hanwha Solutions will join forces with Hanwha Systems to develop high-efficiency solar cell and panel technologies for satellite applications. By extending the technological expertise it has accumulated in the terrestrial solar power market to the space industry, Hanwha Solutions aims to accelerate its entry into the next-generation satellite power solution market.

Hanwha Solutions CI

On July 15, Hanwha Solutions announced that it has signed a contract with Hanwha Systems to develop high-efficiency solar cells and panels for satellite use. By combining high-efficiency solar cell technology with space system capabilities, the two companies plan to develop power solutions optimized for the space environment and lay the groundwork for future commercialization.

As the global space industry reorganizes around low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite constellations and AI·data services, the importance of power solutions—crucial to satellite performance and mission longevity—has become even more pronounced. In response, Hanwha Solutions plans to focus on delivering integrated power solutions optimized for the space environment by leveraging its partnership with Hanwha Systems, a specialist in defense and space.

Under the terms of this contract, Hanwha Systems will invest a total of KRW 30 billion in research and development for tandem solar cells for satellite use over approximately two years and six months, from 2026 to 2028. During this period, Hanwha Solutions will undertake key research and development activities, including high-efficiency cell design and performance enhancement, as well as verifying reliability in the space environment. Through this, both companies aim to secure power solution technologies applicable to satellite environments and build a foundation for future commercialization.

Hanwha Solutions will particularly focus on the development of next-generation technologies—including tandem-based high-efficiency solar cells—to implement power solutions that maximize performance in very low Earth orbit (VLEO) environments. Since VLEO conditions require satellite power efficiency, structural lightness, and resilience to both radiation and atomic oxygen, Hanwha Solutions seeks to internalize comprehensive capabilities for integrated space power solutions, encompassing advanced solar cell technologies, packaging, and panel applicability validation. In addition, the company will conduct space demonstration tests using actual launch vehicles to validate tandem solar cells in space and to secure initial heritage (demonstration record).

Hanwha Solutions and Hanwha Systems plan to verify the technology and secure initial applicability to space through test satellites by 2028. From 2029 onward, they intend to begin large-scale commercialization by applying tandem cells to actual satellites—specifically connected to Hanwha Systems’ project to mass-produce a cluster of 64 VLEO ultra-high-resolution synthetic aperture radar (UHR SAR) satellites with an aperture of 0.15 meters. The companies also aim to further develop these technologies for broader applications in LEO, medium Earth orbit (MEO), and other environments, thereby enhancing the competitiveness of their integrated power solutions in the global space power market.

Park Seungduk, CEO of the Qcells Division at Hanwha Solutions, stated, “This collaboration with Hanwha Systems marks an important starting point for expanding Qcells’ high-efficiency solar cell technology into the space industry. We will enhance the performance and reliability of power solutions for satellites and, in the long term, create new growth opportunities in the global space power market by converging the space and renewable energy industries.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.