Mitsubishi Boosts Solar Tech For Telecom Satellites
Mitsubishi Electric has secured a landmark contract with the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) to lead the development of domestic solar cells, cover glass and solar arrays for satellites under Japan's Space Strategy Fund.
The six-year initiative, running from May 2025 through March 2031, will directly address global supply shortages in satellite power systems, an issue increasingly critical for telecommunications providers deploying low Earth orbit (LEO) constellations to expand broadband connectivity.
Powering the next phase of global connectivity
Telecommunications operators are racing to build out satellite constellations to support high-speed internet, IoT services and mobile backhaul worldwide.
The networks depend on reliable solar technology to generate the power required for continuous operation in orbit.
Demand has surged in recent years, but supply bottlenecks in solar components have led to cost inflation and longer delivery times. For operators rolling out thousands of satellites, delays in securing power systems can stall commercial launches and disrupt service availability.
Japan's Space Strategy Fund, a collaboration between the Cabinet Office and three ministries, aims to solve these challenges by boosting domestic production and reducing reliance on overseas suppliers. Mitsubishi Electric's role is central to that strategy.
Innovation with direct benefits for telecom operators
At the core of the project is Mitsubishi Electric's partnership with PXP Corporation, a Kanagawa-based startup founded by engineers specialising in advanced photovoltaics. Together, they are developing perovskite/CIGS tandem solar cells, which combine two advanced materials into a single unit.
The hybrid solar cells promise to match the efficiency of current III-V solar cells while offering stronger radiation resistance and significantly lower manufacturing costs. For telecom operators, the implications are clear: more resilient satellites with power systems that are faster to source and more economical to integrate across large constellations.
PXP's expertise in next-generation solar materials positions the collaboration to set new industry benchmarks for space-based power generation.
This factor could accelerate deployment timelines for commercial telecom constellations.
Cost-effective mass deployment
The project covers three critical development areas: solar cells, protective cover glass and integrated solar arrays. Mitsubishi Electric plans to utilise domestic glass manufacturing expertise to determine whether commercial glass products can adapt to space conditions.
If successful, the approach will enable mass production of cover glass specifically for orbit. For telcos planning LEO rollouts, such innovations could help reduce procurement costs, shorten supply cycles and mitigate risks associated with international supply chain disruption.
"Through the practical implementation of solar arrays equipped with domestically produced solar cells and cover glass that balance low cost and high performance, while ensuring resistance to the space environment and enabling mass production, we will help strengthen Japan's satellite supply chain and enhance the international competitiveness of the country's space industry."
Securing the future of telecom infrastructure in space
Mitsubishi Electric, with revenues of US$36.8bn in the fiscal year ending March 2025, has already contributed to multiple JAXA and international satellite missions. Its proven track record strengthens confidence in the viability of the programme.
For telecom operators, the significance extends beyond technology development.
A stable domestic supply of advanced solar arrays provides a safeguard against global component shortages, ensuring that planned constellations, often involving hundreds or thousands of satellites, can be deployed on schedule.
Moreover, by integrating components developed under the programme into its own satellite manufacturing operations, Mitsubishi Electric offers an immediate path to market validation.
This reduces uncertainty for telecommunications stakeholders who depend on reliable power systems for uninterrupted global connectivity.
Meeting the urgent needs of telecom expansion
With demand for broadband coverage, IoT networks and mobile backhaul surging worldwide, the timing of the programme is critical. LEO constellations need scalable, cost-efficient power systems to succeed and current supply constraints have left operators vulnerable to delays.
Mitsubishi Electric's domestic production strategy not only strengthens Japan's industrial base but positions it to support international telecommunications operators. By ensuring resilient, radiation-hardened solar arrays at competitive costs, the initiative could directly enhance the pace and reliability of satellite-enabled telecom services globally.
In an era where connectivity underpins economic growth and digital inclusion, the ability to scale satellite networks without power system bottlenecks may prove decisive.
Mitsubishi Electric's leadership under the Space Strategy Fund signals a step change for the global telecoms sector, offering a pathway to more secure and predictable satellite deployments.
