China has discovered super solar cells, high-end technology is favored by NASA

In recent years, China's photovoltaic industry is gaining more and more attention! Just now, another major event happened. Recently, NASA decided to send 60 ThinSat small satellites into space. It is worth noting that the power for these 60 satellites is the Hanergy Group, a famous thin-film solar energy company in my country. Chinese photovoltaic companies and technologies have once again attracted worldwide attention. Chinese solar cells impressed NASA few companies in the photovoltaic field that can provide energy for satellites, and Hanergy has become one of them. A few days ago, NASA Walops Flight Facility (NASAWalopsFlightFacility) will be launched with the Cygnus cargo spacecraft. In addition to transporting supplies to the International Space Station (ISS), the spacecraft is also responsible for sending 60 ThinSat small satellites into space. These 60 satellites are powered by gallium arsenide solar cells prepared by Alta Devices, a US subsidiary of my country's thin-film solar energy company Hanergy Group. According to relevant data of Hanergy Alta's flexible gallium arsenide solar cell, Alta Devices company Alta Devices is a wholly-owned acquisition of Hanergy in 2014. The company has been committed to the world's leading gallium arsenide thin film solar technology. At present, its gallium arsenide technology maintains a conversion rate of double junction cells (31.6%), single junction cells (29.1%), and mass production modules (25.1%). The world's leading level has further established its absolute leading position in the field of high-efficiency thin-film solar cells. It is worth noting that this is not the first contact between NASA and Hanergy. As early as November last year, NASA conducted tests on Hanergy Alta's gallium arsenide thin-film solar technology on the International Space Station. Why are Chinese solar cells favored? It is well known that in the field of photovoltaics, the United States has always maintained its unique arrogance. In recent years, high-pressure policies have been implemented on China's photovoltaic exports many times. In this situation, why can China's solar cells stand out? The answer is technology. According to Hank Voss, the co-founder of NearSpaceLaunch (NSL), who is responsible for the design and manufacturing of the aerospace process, “Satellites require solar cells to generate electricity. So far, no other commercial solar technology can be used with small satellite technology. The other components of Hanergy Alta have made progress in cost, weight and ease of use.” The gallium arsenide solar cell prepared by Hanergy Alta has the characteristics of flexibility, easy packaging and installation, and high conversion efficiency. To overcome these problems. Hanergy Alta flexible gallium arsenide solar cells It is reported that the high conversion rate gallium arsenide thin-film solar cells developed by Hanergy Alta have been successively applied to stratospheric solar drones and international space station solar cells by Boeing companies and NASA. test. The case of Hanergy has also become a microcosm of the development of China's photovoltaic industry. At present, my country's photovoltaic industry is attracting more and more worldwide attention and becoming the backbone of the entire industry. Becoming a leading force in the global energy transition Although there are still many problems in the photovoltaic industry, it is undeniable that Chinese photovoltaic companies have become an important leading force in the global energy transition. According to data from the International Energy Agency, China has become the world's largest solar panel manufacturer, and nearly 60% of the world's solar panels are produced in China. In addition, China's photovoltaic industry chain products have a very high market share in the global market. Among them, polysilicon accounted for 57.8%, silicon ingots and wafers accounted for 89.6%, photovoltaic cells accounted for 72.6%, and photovoltaic modules accounted for 72.0%. From the perspective of photovoltaic applications, despite the impact of domestic policies, China's photovoltaic installed capacity in 2018 still reached 45GW, becoming the world's largest photovoltaic installed capacity country. It can be said that China is the most important producer and supplier of the photovoltaic industry in the upper, middle and lower reaches, as well as the largest application country. It is worth noting that, in addition to the volume advantages, China's photovoltaic industry also masters more and more core technologies. At present, China's photovoltaic industry has gradually transformed from a typical world processing base with 'two ends outside' to a global photovoltaic development and innovative manufacturing base for the entire industry chain, with continuous improvements in technology and product quality. Among them, the world records of industrialized monocrystalline silicon and polycrystalline silicon modules are all from China's photovoltaic companies, and the laboratory's world record Chinese companies occupy the top several places. The localization rate of production equipment has reached 90%. It is no exaggeration to say that China's photovoltaic industry has entered the cultivation stage in 1980 and has blossomed everywhere. After decades of development, it has become an industry that has attracted worldwide attention.