SolAero Technologies

SolAero Technologies, now operating as Rocket Lab's Solar Solutions division, functions as a specialized manufacturer of high-efficiency solar cells and solar panels designed for satellite and aerospace applications. Established in 1998 in Albuquerque, New Mexico, the company has played a critical role in the space industry by supplying power solutions for over 1,000 successful space missions. In January 2022, SolAero was acquired by Rocket Lab for $80 million in cash, a strategic move by Rocket Lab to vertically integrate key satellite manufacturing suppliers into its business.

The company's business model is centered on the design, manufacturing, and sale of advanced solar power products to a global clientele that spans civil, defense, and commercial sectors. Its customers include prominent organizations like NASA and commercial constellation operators such as OneWeb. Revenue is generated through contracts for supplying these critical components for missions ranging from near-Earth orbit satellites to deep space exploration. Notable projects powered by SolAero's technology include the James Webb Space Telescope, NASA's Parker Solar Probe, the Mars InSight Lander, and the Ingenuity Mars Helicopter. The acquisition by Rocket Lab provides SolAero with enhanced manufacturing capabilities to scale up for high-volume production.

SolAero produces a range of products including Coverglass Interconnected Cells (CICs), solar panels, and composite structural products. A key product is the Inverted Metamorphic Multi-junction (IMM) solar cell, which boasts over 33% efficiency and is 40% lighter than typical space-grade cells, a critical factor for mission success. The company operates out of a large manufacturing and assembly facility in Albuquerque, equipped with automated processes that enable cost-effective, high-volume production. This vertical integration, from solar cell fabrication to panel assembly and testing, makes it one of only two domestic producers of such high-efficiency, radiation-resistant space-grade solar cells.

Keywords: space solar cells, satellite solar panels, aerospace structures, photovoltaics, composite structural products, solar power modules, mission critical power, NASA supplier, defense aerospace, commercial satellites, OneWeb constellation, Rocket Lab acquisition, James Webb Space Telescope power, Mars Insight Lander, Ingenuity helicopter, Parker Solar Probe, high-efficiency solar, radiation resistant semiconductors, vertical integration, satellite components