SolAero Technologies

SolAero Technologies is an Albuquerque, New Mexico-based manufacturer of high-efficiency space-grade solar cells, panels, and complete photovoltaic assemblies founded in 1998 as a spin-off from Emcore Corporation — acquired by Rocket Lab in January 2022 for approximately $80 million to provide Rocket Lab with vertical integration of solar power systems for its satellite manufacturing business and Photon spacecraft platform.

SolAero's core products are multi-junction III-V semiconductor solar cells grown via metalorganic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) on germanium substrates — achieving 29-32% conversion efficiency under AM0 solar spectrum (the extraterrestrial spectrum used for space rating), compared to 15-22% for silicon solar cells used in terrestrial applications. The company's Z4J and ZTJ product lines represent successive efficiency improvements, with ZTJ cells achieving ~30.7% beginning-of-life efficiency at 28°C. Multi-junction cells stack multiple p-n junctions (germanium, indium gallium arsenide, indium gallium phosphide) each tuned to absorb different portions of the solar spectrum, maximizing photon capture across ultraviolet, visible, and near-infrared wavelengths.

SolAero manufactures complete integrated solar panel assemblies (ISAs) — rigid panels incorporating cells, bypass diodes, interconnects, and substrate — for direct installation on satellite solar array wings. For high-power applications, the company produces large deployable panel assemblies. Customers include commercial satellite operators, NASA planetary science missions (cells have flown on missions to Mars and beyond), and the International Space Station's solar array upgrades.

Following the Rocket Lab acquisition, SolAero's production was prioritized to supply solar panels for Rocket Lab's Photon spacecraft and satellite manufacturing line, while continuing to supply third-party satellite manufacturers. The acquisition gave Rocket Lab control of the complete power generation supply chain — previously a dependency on external vendors — and deepened its vertically integrated space systems strategy.

Competitors include Spectrolab (a Boeing subsidiary, historically the world's largest space solar cell manufacturer), Azur Space (Germany), and Microlink Devices, which has developed flexible, thin-film III-V solar cells. The overall space solar power market is driven by satellite proliferation (LEO constellations) and high-power requirements for electric propulsion satellites.