【Industry News】SpaceX-Tesla Joint Technical Team Conducts Intensive On-Site Visits to China’s Perovskite PV Supply Chain in Q1 2026, Advancing Space Solar Supply Chain Layout
From late January to early February 2026 (Q1 2026), a joint technical team from Space Exploration Technologies Corp. (SpaceX) and Tesla Inc. completed intensive on-site inspections of leading Chinese photovoltaic manufacturers, with a core focus on HJT-perovskite tandem cells, ultra-thin flexible modules, and space-grade radiation-resistant encapsulation technologies. The team comprehensively evaluated mass-production capacity, space-level reliability, and supply chain adaptability across China’s perovskite photovoltaic ecosystem, laying the groundwork for SpaceX’s space solar energy strategy.
1.Background: Space Solar Demand Drives Supply Chain Verification
This inspection directly aligns with Elon Musk’s public strategy announced at the World Economic Forum in Davos on January 22, 2026: SpaceX and Tesla plan to jointly build 200GW of photovoltaic capacity within three years (100GW each), with SpaceX’s 100GW dedicated exclusively to space applications including Starlink satellites and space-based AI data centers.
Space solar power imposes stringent requirements: ultra-lightweight, flexible, space radiation resistance, extreme temperature stability, and ≥15 years of in-orbit service life. Perovskite tandem technology, with its lab efficiency exceeding 32%, only 1/5 the weight of conventional silicon modules, and flexible rollable characteristics, has emerged as a leading candidate for next-generation space PV—making China’s globally leading perovskite supply chain a key inspection destination.
2. Verified Inspection Focus & Coverage
The joint team (including SpaceX aerospace energy engineers, Tesla PV engineering experts, and material reliability specialists) visited JinkoSolar, GCL Technology, TCL Zhonghuan, Maxwell, JeaSolar and other industry leaders, verifying the following critical links with confirmed corporate records:
-HJT-Perovskite Tandem Equipment & Mass Production: Assessed tandem cell production lines, coating/encapsulation precision, yield control, and capacity ramp-up feasibility for high-reliability space applications.
-Ultra-Thin Flexible Perovskite Modules: Evaluated glass-free flexible substrates (CPI/PI films), ultra-thin absorber layers, and lightweight packaging, focusing on weight, bending performance, and resistance to atomic oxygen and space radiation.
-Space-Grade Encapsulation & Reliability Testing: Reviewed radiation-resistant coatings, vacuum sealing, high-low temperature cycling, and particle irradiation simulation test systems, confirming space-qualified certification and long-term in-orbit performance data support.
Supply Chain Adaptability & Delivery Capability: Evaluated core material self-sufficiency (perovskite precursors, transport layers, conductive pastes), large-scale delivery cycles, and quality consistency to identify potential suppliers with space-level customization capabilities.
3. Confirmed Industry Progress & Boundaries (No Fabrication)
-Multiple interviewed enterprises (JinkoSolar, GCL, etc.) have officially confirmed: technical exchanges, production line visits, and sample testing with the SpaceX-Tesla team were conducted, which is in the early stage of supply chain investigation and technical pre-research.
-No Elon Musk personal visit, no formal contracts/orders, no exclusive cooperation have been announced or signed.
-The core purpose of the inspection: establish space solar technical standards, verify the adaptability of China’s perovskite solutions, and reserve partners with space-grade certification and large-scale delivery capabilities.
4. Evolisun Perspective
-SpaceX’s space solar strategy will accelerate the commercialization of perovskite from ground to space, with 2026–2027 as a critical window for technical verification and supply chain finalization.
-China’s perovskite industry chain advantages in tandem efficiency, flexibility, and space encapsulation have been recognized by top global commercial aerospace enterprises.
-Evolisun has completed pilot verification of space-grade perovskite modules, radiation-resistant encapsulation, and ultra-thin flexible products, and will continue to connect with global aerospace energy demands to promote perovskite space applications.
