[SMM PV] Two Companies Join Forces to Enter Space PV!

At 23:08 on 24 May 2026, the Shenzhou-23 manned spacecraft was launched from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center. The flight crew comprises Zhu Yangzhu, Zhang Zhiyuan, and Li Jiaying. The Shenzhou-23 mission will stay in orbit for approximately six months, rotating with the Shenzhou-21 crew, and will carry out experiments on space life sciences, microgravity physics, and perovskite cells, as well as multiple extravehicular activities. Perovskite cells are third-generation PV cells that use perovskite-structured semiconductor thin films as the light-absorbing layer, directly converting light energy into electrical energy. They feature low cost, ultra-thin and ultra-light design, and high efficiency, and are regarded as the new energy technology most likely to achieve industrialisation. This space experiment will provide efficiency degradation curves under space conditions, and will test and verify the radiation resistance stability and extreme temperature cycling adaptability of perovskite cells.

[European Energy Giant OX2 Enters Australia: 135MW Solar-Plus-Storage Project Officially Commences Construction] Swedish independent power producer (IPP) OX2 has announced the commencement of its Muswellbrook solar-plus-storage project in New South Wales, Australia. Covering an area of approximately 482 hectares, the project will construct a 135MWac solar power plant complemented by a 100MW-class battery energy storage system (BESS). The project is situated on a former coal mine site and forms part of Australia's Hunter Central Coast Renewable Energy Zone (REZ). By utilizing existing transmission infrastructure to connect to the grid, the project will help lower grid-connection development costs and alleviate the network access pressures commonly faced by new energy projects.

Fujiyama Power Systems has approved plans to build a 1.2GW TOPCon solar cell facility at its Ratlam plant in Madhya Pradesh, with commercial production expected in the first quarter of FY2028. The INR 350 crore project will complement the company’s existing 1GW Mono PERC cell plant in Uttar Pradesh and support its backward integration and technology upgrade strategy. SMM believes the rollout of India’s ALMM-II rules from June 2026 is accelerating domestic cell capacity expansion, helping manufacturers secure DCR-compliant supply, reduce cost volatility and strengthen their rooftop solar positioning.