Europe is exploring the application of terrestrial solar PV technology in space. Reliable and affordable solar energy is an essential prerequisite for future space missions, as almost all systems on board satellites and spacecraft depend on a stable energy supply. However, many current solutions are customised and are therefore costly and less scalable. TNO, MCPV and Airbus Netherlands are therefore exploring a possible collaboration combining innovations from the terrestrial photovoltaic (PV) sector with advanced solar energy systems for space applications. Together, the parties want to explore how cost-efficient, high-performance silicon solarnetechnologies already proven on Earth can be applied in space.
The three parties each bring their own expertise as part of the potential collaboration. For instance, TNO has specialism in industrial, cost-efficient and large-scale production of photovoltaic solar cells and panels for terrestrial applications. In collaboration with the Dutch manufacturing industry, TNO developed advanced PV solutions that are flexible in design and form factor, and applicable to a wide range of surfaces. This flexibility may be relevant for space applications, where mass, shape and efficient space use are crucial factors.
Industrialising production of advanced PV
MCPV is a European solar power system manufacturer focused on the industrialisation of advanced PV technologies. The company has extensive practical experience in designing, setting up and operating high-volume solar cell production lines. From this position, MCPV brings process knowledge and engineering capabilities needed to translate innovations from laboratory scale to industrial production.
Within the collaboration currently being explored, MCPV would act as an industry partner and provide the link between TNO's solar cell technology development and Airbus Netherlands' space integration expertise. The aim is to investigate how silicon solar cells can be produced at scale for space applications without exponentially increasing costs.
Solar energy systems for space
Airbus Netherlands produces, among other things, solar panel arrays for satellites and provides energy solutions for major international space programmes, including ESA and NASA's joint Artemis missions. The company is leveraging its experience in designing, integrating and qualifying solar energy systems for use in space to complement TNO's expertise in scalable PV manufacturing. This combination of knowledge should help bridge the gap between technology development on Earth and practical application in space.
In line with European space ambitions
The European Union (EU) has ambitions to develop independent satellite constellations and reduce dependence on critical materials with limited availability. Many current space solar systems use gallium-arsenic (GaAs) solar cells. While these deliver high performance, they are costly and produced through a vulnerable supply chain, according to TNO. This makes the technology susceptible to geopolitical and economic fluctuations. An alternative approach being explored is the use of high-performance silicon solar cells, which are widely used in terrestrial power systems, provided they prove sufficiently robust under space conditions.
Focus on technology development and validation
The parties are launching some joint activities as part of the exploration. The focus is on exchanging technical knowledge and identifying terrestrial PV concepts that could be suitable for space applications. These include TNO's technology on back-contact silicon solar cells, which enables high-precision pick-and-place production and could offer advantages in efficiency and integration.
One of the first technical questions to be investigated is how so-called silicon backside contact solar cells perform under specific space conditions, such as particle radiation, extreme thermal cycles and mechanical stress. In this phase, the focus is on understanding the intrinsic robustness of the technology, without already adapting manufacturing processes specifically for space application. The results of this exploration will guide possible next steps and determine whether further development and qualification for space use is feasible and meaningful.
