Collaborative Agreement to Advance Solar Arrays for Satellite Power Systems
by Riko Seibo
Tokyo, Japan (SPX) Nov 07, 2025
Idemitsu Kosan and Source Energy Company have partnered to jointly develop solar array products for use in high-LEO and MEO satellite applications. The project will combine Idemitsu’s CIGS thin-film solar cell technology with Source Energy’s solar module and deployable array development capacity.
The announcement comes amid increasing demand for satellite power systems and shortages of high-performance solar cells. This effort aims to offer a secure alternative to the gallium arsenide cells currently central to the satellite sector, which present notable geopolitical and supply chain risks.
Idemitsu’s CIGS units feature radiation resistance, low weight, and scalable manufacturing, supporting improved satellite longevity and reduced launch mass. Source Energy brings systems integration and production experience and plans to lead development and testing in Colorado, targeting deployment for high-LEO and MEO satellite projects.
Hiroshi Kawaguchi of Idemitsu Kosan stated, “We are honored to take this step toward the future with an incredible partner, Source Energy, a company that continues to innovate in the space industry. We believe our technology is not merely a component, but a keystone to making space more accessible across a wide range of applications, from LEO constellations to high-radiation missions, accelerating solutions to global-scale challenges that can be addressed from orbit. Through this collaboration, we are committed to contributing to sustainable and resilient space development.”
Philip Keller, CEO of Source Energy Company, said, “Our mission is to be a disruptive supplier that redefines availability and reliability of space-grade solar arrays. Idemitsu’s advanced CIGS solar cell is the perfect technology to help Source expand our existing product offerings and better serve our growing list of flight customers. We look forward to fusing Japanese and U.S. technology to create solutions that fill the growing demand for reliable satellite power systems.”
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