JA has announced that its independently developed and packaged P-type heterojunction (P-HJT) modules have been successfully launched and have entered their planned orbit, the mission marking the company’s first in-orbit test of P-HJT modules, with future large-scale commercial applications its long-term goal.
Chief Technology Officer Dr. Ouyang Zi commented: “Energy innovation has long been a driving force behind human progress. As satellite deployment accelerates and the space economy expands, solar power is expected to play an increasingly important role in future space infrastructure. Developing more cost-competitive solar solutions for space is therefore an important strategic priority. JA has spent years building expertise in photovoltaic technology, with the reliability and long-term performance of its products proven through large-scale manufacturing and deployment across a wide range of terrestrial applications. This in-orbit test extends those capabilities into the space environment and marks an important step in JA’s exploration of future space energy solutions. Through real-world testing in orbit, we aim to assess the reliability and degradation of crystalline silicon technology in low-Earth orbit and explore more cost-competitive options for future space energy systems. The technology will require long-term validation, but we believe it is a direction worth pursuing.”
In orbit, the JA modules will be exposed to harsh conditions, including intense radiation, high-energy particles and extreme temperature swings. By comparing in-orbit performance data with results from ground-based simulations, the company will assess the long-term reliability and degradation of P-HJT technology in low-Earth orbit.
If the validation targets are achieved, the program could help accelerate the adoption of mature crystalline silicon technologies as an alternative to gallium arsenide in low-Earth-orbit applications, potentially lowering the cost of satellite power systems. It could also support the development of satellite internet, remote sensing, space communications and space-based computing.
Space PV remains at an early stage of exploration and validation, and large-scale commercialization remains highly uncertain. JA currently has no orders related to space PV, and the program has no material impact on its current operating performance.
