Source Energy, Fraunhofer ISE develop lower-cost silicon solar modules for space

Source Energy and Fraunhofer ISE have introduced a silicon-based solar module line for satellites that aims to cut cost and speed delivery versus standard space-grade III-V panels. The company says the modules are space-qualified, can retain 76% of power after seven years in orbit, and may be delivered in under six months.

Why it matters: - Space missions still rely on expensive III-V solar technology, especially for low Earth orbit satellites. - Source Energy’s silicon-based approach could lower panel costs and make space power hardware more available for commercial missions. - The modules are designed to combine lower cost with space qualification, durability and faster production.

What happened: - Source Energy Company and Fraunhofer ISE jointly developed a new space-satellite product line based on silicon solar cells. - Source Energy brought the technology into production in June 2026 at its Colorado manufacturing facility. - The company installed an industrial shingle-matrix stringer made by M10 Solar Equipment GmbH. - Source Energy says the automated process can support delivery in less than six months from order. - Source Energy says it is the only company in the world with access to the M10 machine for building shingle-matrix solar modules for the space industry.

The details: - The modules use shingle-matrix interconnection technology, which cuts solar cells into strips and overlaps them in a brickwork pattern. - An electrically conductive adhesive bonds the cells together. - The modules are 64 grams and cover 629 square centimeters, or 321 by 209 millimeters. - Prototypes produced 15.6 watts on average, with peak modules reaching 16.1 watts. - Average active area efficiency was 18.8% under AM0 at 25 °C. - Specific power reached 252 watts per kilogram. - Source Energy’s CTO Bryan Mazor said the company can manufacture PV panels for less than $5 per watt. - Fraunhofer ISE’s Dr. Achim Kraft said the goal was to develop silicon-based solar modules for space applications similar to those already used on Earth. - The modules are intended to compete with standard III-V products on cost while using inexpensive silicon solar cells. - Source Energy subjected the module to space qualification testing and said it falls within the 25% qualification threshold for space applications. - After seven years of operation in space, the module is expected to retain 76% of its original power output. - Fraunhofer ISE said the design is resilient to localized damage, flexible in layout and tolerant of extreme temperature differences. - If a small meteorite or debris damages part of the panel, current can flow around the damaged area. - The layout can be adjusted to match satellite voltage and current requirements. - The shingle-matrix approach works with wafer-based solar cells with front and back contacts, including PERC and silicon heterojunction cells, without changing the production line. - Fraunhofer ISE said the low-temperature interconnection process should also support future perovskite-silicon tandem technology.

Between the lines: - The release frames silicon as a cost-focused alternative to a market still dominated by high-performance III-V cells. - Exclusivity around the M10 stringer gives Source Energy a production advantage in this niche. - The combination of industrial manufacturing, qualification testing and orbit durability data is meant to make the product credible for commercial satellite buyers.

What's next: - Source Energy is positioned to scale sales to satellite operators looking for lower-cost power systems. - The company’s existing customer base of more than 25 customers across telecommunications, defense, Earth observation, in-space services and on-orbit compute could be an early market. - Further adoption will likely depend on how the modules perform in actual missions compared with established III-V systems.

The bottom line: - Source Energy and Fraunhofer ISE are trying to move silicon solar modules from Earth-based affordability into space-grade hardware, with lower cost, faster manufacturing and claimed long-life performance.