Meyer Burger and Solestial partner to develop next generation space solar cells

Meyer Burger Technology AG and Solestial Inc. have signed a strategic partnership to produce ultra-thin silicon solar cells for space applications.

Meyer Burger Technology AG, a leader in solar cell and module technology based in the canton of Bern, has announced a strategic partnership with Solestial Inc., an innovator in space-qualified photovoltaic products. This collaboration will leverage Meyer Burger’s renowned heterojunction technology to improve the production scalability of Solestial’s advanced silicon solar cells designed for space applications. This partnership marks a significant milestone in the development of high-performance solar power solutions for space missions.

Known for its expertise in solar technology, Meyer Burger has previously partnered with CSEM and EPFL to install over 2,000 advanced solar panels on the roof of Dixi Polytool’s factory in Le Locle, demonstrating its commitment to innovative and sustainable energy solutions. The new partnership with Solestial extends Meyer Burger’s influence into the space industry, where solar energy is critical for powering satellites and other space infrastructure.

Solestial specializes in the development of radiation tolerant solar cells and flexible modules optimized for the harsh conditions of space. By integrating Meyer Burger’s cutting-edge heterojunction technology with Solestial’s proprietary metallization and radiation damage mitigation methods, the partnership aims to produce solar cells that meet the high efficiency and reliability requirements of space applications.

Space-ready solar modules by 2025

Under the terms of the partnership, Meyer Burger will receive ultra-thin, radiation-cured silicon wafers from Solestial, which will then be processed using Meyer Burger’s heterojunction technology. These processed wafers will be returned to Solestial’s manufacturing facility in Tempe, Arizona for final metallization, completion and integration into flexible solar modules. This process will enable Solestial to supply enough solar modules to power hundreds of spacecrafts per year by mid-2025. Production is scheduled to begin in September 2024.

“This partnership with Meyer Burger enables Solestial to scale production and meet market demand with a superior and innovative product,” said Stan Herasimenka, CEO of Solestial.

Gunter Erfurt, CEO of Meyer Burger, highlighted the significance of the partnership: “Meyer Burger is opening up to applications and industries that need our proprietary know-how and advanced technologies. By supporting product development and industrialization, we help companies like Solestial scale and grow.”

The partnership has also drawn praise from industry leaders such as Saurav Shroff, CEO of Starpath, a company focused on building large-scale space infrastructure. Shroff emphasized the disruptive nature of Solestial’s solar technology, stating: “This collaboration brings cost-effective, space-ready solar power to market on an industrial scale, making missions like ours more feasible.”