Solar technology advancements reported by JA Solar and Rocket Lab

JA Solar is advancing its module strategy through cell technology, utilizing its proprietary n-type Bycium+ platform. The company’s mass-market engine relies on n-type TOPCon technology, with its DeepBlue 5.0 modules reaching up to 670 W and 24.8 percent efficiency. JA Solar is also developing back contact technology for premium, space-constrained projects. In its 2025 filing, the company reported 69.563 GW of cell and module shipments, with overseas modules representing 51.29 percent of that total.

Separately, Rocket Lab has announced the production release of its IMM Apex solar cell designed for space applications. Using an inverted metamorphic (IMM) architecture, the cell achieves a 31.5 percent beginning-of-life conversion efficiency. This design eliminates the need for expensive and scarce germanium substrates, reducing supply-chain risks. The new cells are reportedly 40 percent lighter than legacy triple-junction products, offering improved power-to-weight performance for spacecraft.