Verde Technologies is shifting its commercial focus from rooftop solar to space, aiming to deploy perovskite-based thin-film panels for orbital data centers and large constellations. The move marks a strategic pivot for the startup, which originally targeted terrestrial building applications.
Perovskite solar cells offer a lightweight, flexible alternative to traditional rigid silicon panels, a key advantage for space applications where mass and deployability are critical. Verde aims to leverage these properties to power high-power-demand satellites in low Earth orbit.
No specific launch timeline or mission details were disclosed. The company is currently in the development phase, working toward space-qualified hardware. It has not announced a specific constellation partner or customer commitment.
The shift comes as the space industry explores new power solutions for data processing in orbit, where traditional solar panels may be bulky or inefficient. Verde's technology could help enable sustained in-space computing if it meets the rigorous demands of the space environment.
However, perovskite cells face known durability challenges in space, including degradation from radiation and thermal cycling. The company must demonstrate that its panels can survive extended orbital operation, a hurdle that has tripped up other advanced solar technologies.