As the global solar industry looks beyond Earth toward emerging opportunities in space, Hanwha Qcells is accelerating preparations to enter the next-generation space energy market with advanced tandem solar cell technology.
Hanwha Qcells, the solar energy business division of Hanwha Solutions, announced that it recently hosted the "Space Solar Innovation Workshop 2026" at its headquarters in Seoul and its manufacturing facility in Jincheon, North Chungcheong Province, bringing together leading international experts to discuss future technologies and collaboration in space-based solar power.
The workshop gathered approximately 40 researchers, engineers and industry representatives from the United States, Europe and South Korea to exchange insights into the latest developments in space solar technologies and explore opportunities for future research and industrial cooperation.
The event was led by Daniel Merfeld, Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of Hanwha Qcells, who joined global experts in discussions covering commercialization prospects, technological advancements and the application of next-generation photovoltaic technologies for space environments.
Space solar power is attracting increasing attention as governments and private companies expand investments in satellites, lunar exploration and future space infrastructure. Unlike terrestrial solar systems, solar arrays deployed in space can generate electricity without being significantly affected by weather conditions or atmospheric interference, making them a promising long-term energy solution for future space missions.
Reliable power generation is becoming increasingly important as the commercial space economy expands beyond satellite operations to include lunar bases, deep-space exploration and orbital infrastructure. These applications require highly efficient, lightweight and durable energy systems capable of operating in extreme environments.
To meet those demands, global aerospace and energy companies are investing heavily in advanced photovoltaic technologies that maximize power output while minimizing weight. High-efficiency solar cells are considered essential for reducing launch costs and improving the performance of future spacecraft.
During the workshop, Hanwha Qcells introduced its technological progress in perovskite-silicon tandem solar cells, widely regarded as one of the most promising next-generation photovoltaic technologies.
Unlike conventional silicon solar cells, tandem cells stack multiple semiconductor materials to capture a broader spectrum of sunlight, significantly improving energy conversion efficiency. The technology is expected to play a central role in both future terrestrial solar markets and emerging space energy applications.
In space, solar cells must deliver not only high efficiency but also exceptional durability against radiation, temperature extremes and other harsh environmental conditions while remaining as lightweight as possible.
Hanwha Qcells also provided participants with a tour of its tandem solar cell pilot production line in Jincheon, showcasing its latest research capabilities and ongoing efforts to adapt the technology for future space applications.
The company has recently strengthened its commitment to the sector by establishing a dedicated Space Solar Development Team within its Technology Division. The new organization is responsible for developing tandem solar cells for space applications and conducting demonstration projects aimed at validating the technology under real operating conditions.
Earlier, Hanwha Qcells also participated in projects designed to evaluate the performance of its proprietary tandem solar cells in simulated space environments, an important step toward future commercialization of space solar technologies.
Industry observers view the company's latest initiative as part of a broader strategy to prepare for the next phase of the global energy market. As competition intensifies to improve solar efficiency and reduce manufacturing costs, leading companies are increasingly exploring advanced applications beyond conventional power generation.
With commercial space activities expanding rapidly and governments investing heavily in future space infrastructure, space-based energy technologies are expected to emerge as a significant long-term growth market. However, experts note that challenges remain, including high development costs, launch technologies and efficient methods for transmitting energy generated in space, underscoring the need for continued international collaboration.
Hanwha Qcells said it plans to use the workshop as a platform to expand cooperation with academia, research institutes and industry partners while strengthening its technological leadership in the emerging space solar sector.
"Space solar power has the potential to open entirely new possibilities for the future energy industry," said Daniel Merfeld, CTO of Hanwha Qcells. "By working closely with researchers around the world, we aim to accelerate technological innovation and bring practical space solar applications closer to reality."
Building on its established manufacturing capabilities and next-generation tandem solar technologies, Hanwha Qcells aims to strengthen its competitiveness not only in the global terrestrial solar market but also in the future space energy industry.
