Hanwha Systems与Hanwha Qcells合作开发卫星用高效太阳能电池并投入300亿韩元研发

Hanwha Systems is joining forces with affiliate Hanwha Solutions' Qcells division to secure a lead in next-generation solar technology for space. The company is also strengthening strategic cooperation with academia to secure proprietary defense semiconductor technology.
Hanwha Systems (272210) said on the 15th it has signed a contract with Hanwha Qcells to develop high-efficiency solar cell and panel technology for satellites. The collaboration combines Hanwha Systems' space capabilities with Hanwha Solutions' high-efficiency solar cell technology and mass-production capabilities. As the global space industry is being reshaped around low Earth orbit satellite constellations and artificial intelligence (AI) and data services, the importance of power solutions that determine satellite performance and mission continuity is being further highlighted.
Hanwha Systems will invest 30 billion won in research and development costs in phases through 2028 to develop tandem solar cells for satellites. Hanwha Solutions (009830) will carry out key research and development during this period, including high-efficiency cell design and performance enhancement, as well as reliability verification for the space environment. Through this, the two companies plan to secure power solution technology applicable to the satellite environment and lay the groundwork for future commercialization.
In addition, the companies plan to conduct space demonstrations using actual launch vehicles in parallel to verify tandem solar cells in the space environment and secure initial "heritage," or demonstration track record. The two companies plan to secure technology verification and initial space applicability through test satellites by 2028, and after 2029, apply tandem cells to actual satellites in connection with the 64-unit 0.15-meter-class Very Low Earth Orbit Ultra-High Resolution Synthetic Aperture Radar (VLEO UHR SAR) constellation project to be mass-produced by Hanwha Systems, launching full-scale commercialization.
Meanwhile, Hanwha Systems held a defense semiconductor technology workshop with Seoul National University and Sungkyunkwan University on the same day and signed a contract to develop semiconductor chips for radar, seekers, SAR satellites, satellite and tactical communications, and high-power microwaves (HPM). This is a follow-up measure after establishing a "Defense Semiconductor Joint Research Center" with these universities in March this year.
Hanwha Systems expects that through industry-academia cooperation, it will localize core semiconductor components that have been highly dependent on foreign sources and lay the foundation to respond quickly to the rapidly changing demands of modern warfare.
Kwak Jong-woo, head of Hanwha Systems' Foundational Research Institute, said, "Cooperation with universities goes beyond simple technology development to building a virtuous value chain that leads to the design, verification, expansion, and commercialization of defense semiconductors," adding, "We will solidify our leadership in the global defense industry market."