Meyer Burger Technology AG(Meyer Burger),a Swiss manufacturer focused on advanced solar cell and module technology,recently partnered with Solestial Inc.(Solestial),a US-based space solar energy company,to advance the production of next-generation ultra-thin silicon solar cells for space applications.

Under the terms of the strategic partnership agreement,Solestial will supply Meyer Burger with ultra-thin,radiation-resistant silicon wafers,and Meyer Burger will apply its HJT technology to the wafers to produce solar cells that can be used in space.The cells will then return to Solestial's Tempe,AZ facility for metallisation,finishing and integration into flexible modules.The modules will provide efficiency and reliability in space by being able to anneal to electrons and protons at high temperatures,such as 65℃,when exposed to radiation.

Processing is scheduled to begin in September 2024,with a production capacity of 1.4GW per year by mid-2025,enabling Solestial to supply enough solar modules to power hundreds of spacecraft per year.