U.S. DOE seeks ‘mass, radiation tolerance, and durability’ in space solar cell manufacturing
The U.S. Department of Energy launched a $12 million funding opportunity for space-based solar cell manufacturing, with $8 million for next-generation cell innovation and $4 million for rapid production and demonstration. The program prioritizes mass, radiation tolerance, and durability over cost per watt, and is part of a critical minerals push because space solar manufacturing uses gallium and germanium inefficiently. China's suspended export ban on those minerals is set to resume November 27, 2026.
Why it matters: This advances the critical minerals theme by tying space solar manufacturing to gallium and germanium supply risks from China.