Emcore to Supply Solar Cells for India’s Space Research
Emcore Corp., a maker of compound semiconductor-based components and subsystems for fiber optics and solar power, will make and test high-efficiency multijunction solar-cell assemblies for the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) under a $22 million supply contract announced on June 20th.
The assemblies will be used in ISRO’s commercial geostationary telecommunications and scientific Earth observation satellite missions; over the past four decades, ISRO has launched more than 65 satellites for various commercial and scientific purposes.
Emcore has been supplying solar cell products to ISRO for the past 15 years. Under the new multiyear contract, it expects to deliver coverglass interconnected cells (CICs) incorporating its highest-efficiency (near 30 percent) 3rd Generation Triple-Junction and Advanced Triple-Junction solar cells for multiple satellite missions, the company said.
“This contract is a very significant award for Emcore,” said Dr. Brad Clevenger, general manager of Emcore’s Photovoltaics Div. “It further reinforces our successful heritage in the Asia-Pacific satellite market, and expands our market share for both commercial and scientific missions.”
