Hanwha Qcells to Supply Perovskite-Silicon Tandem Solar Cells for NASA Lunar Power Project, Bolstering US Manufacturing Capabilities

August 2, 2026

Troy Technical / EnkiAI South Korea

Overview

Hanwha Qcells has secured a strategic contract to supply perovskite-silicon tandem solar cells for NASA’s lunar power demonstration project. This partnership will validate Qcells’ advanced solar technology for high reliability and performance in extreme space environments. Concurrently, Qcells is leveraging a $1.45 billion loan from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to strengthen its domestic solar supply chain capabilities in the U.S., expanding clean energy frontiers both in space and on Earth.

In Depth

Key Findings

Hanwha Qcells has entered into a strategic agreement to supply its advanced perovskite-silicon tandem solar cells for NASA’s lunar power demonstration project. This landmark partnership not only underscores the high reliability and performance of Qcells’ photovoltaic technology in the exceptionally harsh environment of space but also solidifies the company’s position in the space energy sector. This initiative contributes to humanity’s ambitious goal of establishing sustainable power for lunar bases and simultaneously pioneers new application areas for clean energy technologies.

Technical / Clinical Details

NASA’s lunar power project aims to establish sustainable energy solutions to enable long-term lunar exploration and habitation. The lunar surface presents incredibly challenging conditions for solar cells, including extreme temperature fluctuations, high radiation exposure, and micrometeoroid impacts. The perovskite-silicon tandem solar cells provided by Hanwha Qcells offer significantly higher energy conversion efficiency compared to conventional monocrystalline silicon solar cells, as they can capture a broader spectrum of sunlight. This high efficiency is particularly advantageous for space applications where maximizing power from a limited installation area is crucial. Furthermore, Qcells is expected to be implementing specialized designs and material technologies to enhance the radiation hardness, thermal cycling stability, and mechanical robustness of these solar cells to meet the unique demands of the space environment. This technology will serve as a critical foundation, not only for addressing energy issues on Earth but also for supporting humanity’s expansion into space.

Background & Context

In recent years, nations are accelerating lunar exploration plans, making reliable power supply indispensable for sustainable lunar activities. Traditional space solar cells have been high in cost with limited efficiency. Perovskite solar cells, with their high efficiency, lightweight properties, and manufacturing flexibility, are highly anticipated as a next-generation solar cell for space applications. The entry of a major company like Hanwha Qcells into this field through a partnership with NASA demonstrates the reliability and applicability of perovskite technology globally, accelerating innovation in the space solar cell market. Concurrently, Qcells is also advancing plans to strengthen the U.S. domestic solar supply chain capabilities with a $1.45 billion loan from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), showcasing the company’s diversified strategy to lead in clean energy manufacturing both on Earth and in space.

Strategic Significance & Outlook

The partnership between Hanwha Qcells and NASA proves that perovskite-silicon tandem solar cells can demonstrate their value not only on Earth but also in the most extreme environments of outer space. Success in the lunar power project could establish a new standard for solar power technology in future space exploration, including Mars missions and deep-space ventures. This technological development will also feedback into improving the reliability of high-efficiency solar cells on Earth, accelerating their adoption in a wide range of applications such as residential, commercial, and large-scale power plants. Furthermore, strengthening manufacturing capabilities in the U.S. with DOE financing will contribute to supply chain resilience and economic job creation, further solidifying Qcells’ global leadership in the clean energy sector.

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