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Emcore wins Boeing contract for solar cells

Boeing has awarded Emcore a contract to manufacture triple-junction solar cells for its new satellite.

Boeing has selected Emcore to make the triple-junction solar cells and solar panels for its latest satellite, model 702. Emcore says that the agreement also includes an option for a follow-on satellite.

The triple-junction cells feature an InGaP/GaAs/Ge layer structure on top of a germanium substrate, and are manufactured using MOCVD. These three junctions absorb sunlight over a wavelength range of 300-1700 nm.

According to Emcore, the initial efficiency of these cells is 27.5%, which will allow the new Boeing satellite to generate 18 kW power at the start of its service. This figure is expected to drop to 15.5  kW by the end of its 15-year design life.

Emcore’s VP of photovoltaics, Eric Fuller, believes that this award could be a taste of things to come in the satellite industry. “We are beginning to see a recovery in the commercial satellite industry. Boeing’s 702 satellite is one of 19 geosynchronous orbit satellites ordered worldwide last year, according to industry statistics,” he said.

Emcore and Spectrolab are the two leading manufacturers of triple-junction solar cells used in satellite applications. Spectrolab is itself a wholly-owned subsidiary of Boeing.

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