Core Insights - Ricoh Company, Ltd. has installed its perovskite solar cells on the Space Solar Cell Demonstration System (SDX) aboard the HTV-X1 spacecraft, launched by JAXA on October 26, 2025, for an in-orbit demonstration [1][3] Group 1: Solar Cell Technology - The in-orbit demonstration will last approximately two months, during which the current-voltage characteristics, power generation performance, and durability of Ricoh's perovskite solar cells will be evaluated [3] - Perovskite solar cells are advantageous due to their high power generation under low illumination, strong resistance to cosmic radiation, and potential for lightweight and flexible designs, making them suitable for future space applications [3][4] Group 2: Research and Development - Since 2017, Ricoh has collaborated with JAXA's Space Exploration Innovation Hub Center to develop durable perovskite solar cells suitable for space environments [4] - The company aims to enhance energy conversion efficiency and durability while achieving high productivity and cost reductions through its core technologies, including organic photoconductors and inkjet printing [5] Group 3: Commercialization Efforts - Following the results of the space demonstration, Ricoh plans to continue improving the performance and durability of perovskite solar cells, accelerating their development towards early commercialization [6] - Ricoh's global operations reached approximately 2,527 billion yen (around 16.8 billion USD) in sales for the financial year ending March 2025, indicating a strong market presence [8]
Ricoh perovskite solar cells Installed on Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) cargo transfer spacecraft1 HTV-X1
The Manila Times·2025-10-30 23:37