As the space industry rapidly advances, the role of solar power generation is becoming increasingly important. Conventional silicon-based solar cells are widely used in space, but concerns continue to be raised regarding their high cost, weight, and durability in radiation environments. As a solution to these issues, perovskite solar cells are attracting attention as a next-generation space solar power technology. Lightweight and offering high conversion efficiency, perovskite solar cells are emerging as an innovative solution that could replace conventional silicon solar cells.
[Fig] Perovskite structure and operating principle of solar cells
Currently, III-V multijunction solar cells such as GaAs and InP are mainly used in satellites and space probes. These cells are highly resistant to space radiation and offer high conversion efficiency, but they are expensive to manufacture and have complex production processes. Meanwhile, silicon solar cells are economically competitive on Earth, but in space environments, they are vulnerable to radiation and micrometeorite impacts. Solar cells used in space must withstand extreme temperature fluctuations (-200℃ to +200℃), strong radiation, and micrometeorite impacts, which reveals the limitations of existing technologies.
[Fig] Effects of magnetic fields and radiation in the space environment
Perovskite solar cells have strengths in light weight, high conversion efficiency, and low-cost production. In particular, recent studies have reported that perovskite solar cells show better resistance to space radiation than conventional silicon solar cells. Generally, solar cell performance deteriorates when exposed to radiation, but perovskite materials exhibit self-healing characteristics that allow them to recover from radiation damage. This characteristic is an important factor for solar cells that require long-term operation in space environments.
[Fig] Key characteristics by solar power technology
Major space agencies such as NASA and ESA (European Space Agency), as well as private companies, are studying the potential application of perovskite solar cells in space. In 2023, NASA conducted a CubeSat experiment in which perovskite solar cells were mounted on a small satellite to evaluate their performance. As a result, the experiment demonstrated that the cells could maintain excellent performance even in extreme environments while reducing weight by more than 80% compared to conventional technologies.
[Fig] NASA’s CubeSat used for perovskite research
Korean companies are also actively developing perovskite solar cell technologies. One notable company is Flexell Space Co., Ltd. (CEO: Taehoon Ahn). Flexell Space is developing high-efficiency solar cells based on perovskite and CIGS (copper-indium-gallium-selenium) that can be applied to various fields such as satellites, drones, and aircraft. The company successfully secured KRW 5 billion in Pre-A funding in recognition of its technological capabilities. Based on this investment, Flexell Space plans to expand cooperation with domestic and overseas research institutions and global space companies, while accelerating technology advancement and commercialization.
[Fig] Flexell Space Co., Ltd.’s CIGS- and perovskite-based solar cells
In addition, Join Solution Co., Ltd. developed a technology based on glancing angle sputtering that can address problems associated with conventional solution-based solar cells. This enables the production of uniform and low-stress perovskite solar cells even over large areas. MECARO Energy Co., Ltd. developed a technology applying chemical vapor deposition (CVD) to solve existing perovskite processing issues. This enables large-area processing and improves productivity. As such, corporate technology development in this field is highly active.
[Fig] Perovskite manufacturing technologies of Join Solution Co., Ltd. and MECARO Energy Co., Ltd.
The BLT Research Center stated, “Perovskite solar cell-related technologies are expected to create new opportunities for companies.” It added, “Securing intellectual property rights related to perovskite solar cell technologies is expected to be an effective strategy.”
As of 2025, BLT Patent & Law Firm has been selected by more than 2,500 innovative startups as a partner for IP acquisition, response strategy development, investment attraction, and technology-specialized IPO support, helping companies achieve growth and success through IP-based business support services.
#Perovskite #PerovskiteSolarCell #SolarCell #Perovskite #solarcell #FlexellSpace #JoinSolution #MECAROEnergy
As the space industry rapidly advances, the role of solar power generation is becoming increasingly important. Conventional silicon-based solar cells are widely used in space, but concerns continue to be raised regarding their high cost, weight, and durability in radiation environments. As a solution to these issues, perovskite solar cells are attracting attention as a next-generation space solar power technology. Lightweight and offering high conversion efficiency, perovskite solar cells are emerging as an innovative solution that could replace conventional silicon solar cells.
[Fig] Perovskite structure and operating principle of solar cells
Currently, III-V multijunction solar cells such as GaAs and InP are mainly used in satellites and space probes. These cells are highly resistant to space radiation and offer high conversion efficiency, but they are expensive to manufacture and have complex production processes. Meanwhile, silicon solar cells are economically competitive on Earth, but in space environments, they are vulnerable to radiation and micrometeorite impacts. Solar cells used in space must withstand extreme temperature fluctuations (-200℃ to +200℃), strong radiation, and micrometeorite impacts, which reveals the limitations of existing technologies.
[Fig] Effects of magnetic fields and radiation in the space environment
Perovskite solar cells have strengths in light weight, high conversion efficiency, and low-cost production. In particular, recent studies have reported that perovskite solar cells show better resistance to space radiation than conventional silicon solar cells. Generally, solar cell performance deteriorates when exposed to radiation, but perovskite materials exhibit self-healing characteristics that allow them to recover from radiation damage. This characteristic is an important factor for solar cells that require long-term operation in space environments.
[Fig] Key characteristics by solar power technology
Major space agencies such as NASA and ESA (European Space Agency), as well as private companies, are studying the potential application of perovskite solar cells in space. In 2023, NASA conducted a CubeSat experiment in which perovskite solar cells were mounted on a small satellite to evaluate their performance. As a result, the experiment demonstrated that the cells could maintain excellent performance even in extreme environments while reducing weight by more than 80% compared to conventional technologies.
[Fig] NASA’s CubeSat used for perovskite research
Korean companies are also actively developing perovskite solar cell technologies. One notable company is Flexell Space Co., Ltd. (CEO: Taehoon Ahn). Flexell Space is developing high-efficiency solar cells based on perovskite and CIGS (copper-indium-gallium-selenium) that can be applied to various fields such as satellites, drones, and aircraft. The company successfully secured KRW 5 billion in Pre-A funding in recognition of its technological capabilities. Based on this investment, Flexell Space plans to expand cooperation with domestic and overseas research institutions and global space companies, while accelerating technology advancement and commercialization.
[Fig] Flexell Space Co., Ltd.’s CIGS- and perovskite-based solar cells
In addition, Join Solution Co., Ltd. developed a technology based on glancing angle sputtering that can address problems associated with conventional solution-based solar cells. This enables the production of uniform and low-stress perovskite solar cells even over large areas. MECARO Energy Co., Ltd. developed a technology applying chemical vapor deposition (CVD) to solve existing perovskite processing issues. This enables large-area processing and improves productivity. As such, corporate technology development in this field is highly active.
[Fig] Perovskite manufacturing technologies of Join Solution Co., Ltd. and MECARO Energy Co., Ltd.
The BLT Research Center stated, “Perovskite solar cell-related technologies are expected to create new opportunities for companies.” It added, “Securing intellectual property rights related to perovskite solar cell technologies is expected to be an effective strategy.”
As of 2025, BLT Patent & Law Firm has been selected by more than 2,500 innovative startups as a partner for IP acquisition, response strategy development, investment attraction, and technology-specialized IPO support, helping companies achieve growth and success through IP-based business support services.
#Perovskite #PerovskiteSolarCell #SolarCell #Perovskite #solarcell #FlexellSpace #JoinSolution #MECAROEnergy