Yanhe Technology launched three independently developed space photovoltaic modules into a 535 km sun-synchronous orbit aboard Galactic Energy’s Ceres-2 Y3 rocket from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center on Nov. 7. The company described the mission as China’s first simultaneous in-orbit validation of three perovskite-based PV technologies.

Two tandem modules – a perovskite-crystalline silicon device and a perovskite-CIGS device – are installed on the North University of China-1 satellite. The spacecraft operates in a dawn-dusk orbit, where near-continuous sunlight places demanding requirements on power density and long-term stability.

A flexible single-junction perovskite module is installed on the Yunyao-1 28 satellite. The device will undergo imaging during thermal cycling and performance monitoring to assess degradation caused by particle radiation and atomic oxygen exposure.

Yanhe has not disclosed the conversion efficiencies, rated power outputs, active areas, or weights of the three modules. The company had not responded to a request for additional technical specifications at the time of publication. Yanhe’s official announcement and independent industry reports confirmed the launch, satellite platforms, and orbital altitude.

The mission builds on an earlier in-orbit testing campaign launched in September, when Yanhe deployed a flexible perovskite module aboard the Tianyi-52 satellite for long-term performance monitoring. The company described that deployment as China’s first component-level in-orbit test of flexible perovskite PV technology.

In October, Yanhe also established a joint laboratory with the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology to conduct research on perovskite solar cells, space photovoltaics, orbital energy systems, and flexible devices.

Yanhe Chief Technology Officer Peng Zongyang said the perovskite-silicon and perovskite-CIGS tandem architectures target different segments of the space PV market. He said the latest mission aims to evaluate the efficiency and stability of both technologies under actual orbital conditions.

The company is assessing the fully thin-film perovskite-CIGS tandem architecture for potential advantages in flexibility and radiation resistance over silicon-based tandem devices.

Perovskite solar cells have attracted interest for space applications because of their potential for high specific power and lower material costs compared with the III-V gallium arsenide solar cells commonly used in satellite power systems.

Yanhe is targeting the growing low Earth orbit satellite constellation market, where lighter PV modules could help reduce launch costs.

However, the ability of perovskite solar modules to maintain performance under prolonged radiation exposure and repeated thermal cycling remains a key technical challenge.

The latest mission is expected to generate comparative in-orbit performance data for the three architectures. Yanhe has not specified the duration of the monitoring campaign or the amount of telemetry data expected from the satellites.