Yanhe Technology launches three perovskite solar modules to 535 km orbit for in-orbit testing

Yanhe Technology launched three independently developed space photovoltaic modules into a 535 km sun-synchronous orbit on Nov. 7, pv-magazine.com reports. The rocket was Galactic Energy's Ceres-2 Y3, launched from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center pv-magazine.compv-magazine.compv-magazine.comOpen source ↗. The company described the mission as China's first simultaneous in-orbit validation of three perovskite-based PV technologies.

Modules and test conditions

Two tandem modules, a perovskite-crystalline silicon device and a perovskite-CIGS device, are installed on the North University of China-1 satellite. The spacecraft operates in a dawn-dusk orbit, where near-continuous sunlight places demanding requirements on power density and long-term stability.

A flexible single-junction perovskite module is installed on the Yunyao-1 28 satellite. It will undergo imaging during thermal cycling and performance monitoring to assess degradation caused by particle radiation and atomic oxygen exposure.

Yanhe has not disclosed the conversion efficiencies, rated power outputs, active areas or weights of the three modules pv-magazine.compv-magazine.compv-magazine.comOpen source ↗. The company's announcement and independent industry reports confirmed the launch, the satellite platforms and the orbital altitude.

Chief Technology Officer Peng Zongyang said the perovskite-silicon and perovskite-CIGS tandem architectures target different segments of the space PV market. According to him, the mission aims to evaluate the efficiency and stability of both under actual orbital conditions. The company is also assessing the fully thin-film perovskite-CIGS tandem for potential advantages in flexibility and radiation resistance over silicon-based tandems.

Earlier tests and open questions

In September, Yanhe deployed a flexible perovskite module aboard the Tianyi-52 satellite for long-term performance monitoring. The company called it China's first component-level in-orbit test of flexible perovskite PV technology. In October, it set up a joint laboratory with the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology for research on perovskite solar cells, space photovoltaics, orbital energy systems and flexible devices.

Perovskite cells have drawn interest for space because of their potential for high specific power and lower material costs than the III-V gallium arsenide cells commonly used in satellite power systems pv-magazine.compv-magazine.compv-magazine.comOpen source ↗. Yanhe is targeting the growing low Earth orbit constellation market, where lighter modules could reduce launch costs.

Maintaining performance under prolonged radiation and repeated thermal cycling remains a key technical challenge for perovskite modules. The mission is expected to produce comparative in-orbit data for the three architectures. Yanhe has not specified the duration of the monitoring campaign or the amount of telemetry expected.