Yangzhou-made solar cells power Beidou system

The latest achievements in technological innovation were on display at an evaluation meeting in Yangzhou, Jiangsu province, on Feb 7. 

At the meeting, researchers from Yangzhou Qianzhao Photovoltaic Cell Company, China's biggest GaAs (gallium arsenide) solar cell manufacturer, presented high-efficiency, power-generating 3-node GaAs solar cells and their application across many fields. 

Jiang Wei, deputy general manager of the company's business department, said that as a result of the various technologies used in their production, the cells achieve the highest conversion rate of solar energy yet seen, sometimes up to 40 percent in power generation and solar energy rooftop applications. 

As vital components used in spacecraft, solar cells convert light directly into electrical energy and ensure normal operation. 

"Hundreds of thousands of the solar cells we produced were applied to satellites for military and civil use, including in China's Beidou navigation and positioning system. These cells also appear to have potential application in the commercial aviation industry." 

According to Jiang, research is currently being conducted on a new "flexible and self-adjustable" solar cell that could be utilized in unmanned aerial vehicles and new energy vehicles in the near future.