Top 10 Companies in the Solar Cell Cover Glasses Industry (2025): Market Leaders Powering Space Exploration

In Business Insights
June 25, 2025

The Global Solar Cell Cover Glasses Market was valued at USD 56.5 Million in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 134 Million by 2032, growing at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 13.7% during the forecast period (2024–2032). This expansion is fueled by the rapid growth of satellite constellations, expanding lunar exploration programs, and the critical need for radiation-resistant photovoltaic protection in space environments.

As commercial space ventures and national space agencies push further into the cosmos, specialized glass manufacturers are developing cutting-edge solutions to protect solar arrays from extreme conditions. In this analysis, we examine the Top 10 Companies in the Solar Cell Cover Glasses Industry—material science innovators creating the transparent shields that enable space-based power generation.

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Solar Cell Cover Glasses Market – View in Detailed Research Report


🔟 1. SCHOTT AG

Headquarters: Mainz, Germany
Key Offering: SpaceSolar™ Cover Glass, Ultra-Thin Glass Solutions

SCHOTT maintains market leadership with radiation-resistant glass that protects solar panels on over 60% of Earth-orbiting satellites. Their proprietary glass compositions withstand extreme temperature fluctuations (-190°C to +120°C) while maintaining 94% light transmission efficiency.

Space Milestones:

  • Supplied coverglass for all NASA Mars rover missions since 2004
  • Pioneered 50μm ultra-thin glass for next-gen flexible solar arrays
  • Operates ISO Class 5 cleanrooms for space-grade production

9️⃣ 2. AGC Inc.

Headquarters: Tokyo, Japan
Key Offering: AGC SpaceLine™ Cover Glasses, Atomic Oxygen-Resistant Coatings

AGC delivers specialized glass solutions optimized for different orbital environments, with variants tailored for LEO, GEO, and deep space applications. Their proprietary coatings prevent efficiency losses from UV-induced darkening.

Market Position:

  • Exclusive supplier for JAXA’s H3 rocket solar arrays
  • Supplies 30% of commercial satellite cover glass needs

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Solar Cell Cover Glasses Market – View in Detailed Research Report


8️⃣ 3. Excelitas Technologies Corp

Headquarters: Waltham, Massachusetts, USA
Key Offering: Rugate Filter Cover Glass, Custom AR Coatings

Excelitas specializes in optical coatings that balance durability with photon transmission. Their military-specified solutions achieve 99.2% transmission in critical wavelength ranges while withstanding 15+ years of GEO radiation exposure.

Certifications:

  • ITAR compliant manufacturing facilities
  • NASA JPL-approved materials for planetary missions

7️⃣ 4. Coresix Precision Glass

Headquarters: Williamsburg, Virginia, USA
Key Offering: Borosilicate Cover Glasses, Laser Cutting Services

Coresix serves the burgeoning smallsat market with rapid-turnaround custom glass solutions for CubeSats and microsatellites. Their precision cutting allows for complex panel shapes to maximize deployment efficiency.

Technical Specifications:

  • Thickness options from 0.075mm to 2.0mm
  • Edge roughness < 0.5μm for minimal light scattering

6️⃣ 5. XINGJIAN Technology

Headquarters: Chengdu, China
Key Offering: CJ Series Space Glass, Integrated Radiation Shielding

As China’s primary aerospace glass provider, XINGJIAN supports the country’s ambitious space program with solutions that combine protective glass layers with integrated shielding materials.

Strategic Projects:

  • Developed cover glass for China Space Station solar arrays
  • Partnering on lunar surface power systems development

5️⃣ 6. Toray Industries

Headquarters: Tokyo, Japan
Key Offering: Ultra-Lightweight Glass-Polymer Composites

Toray’s hybrid solutions reduce solar array mass by 40% compared to conventional glass, enabling higher payload capacity for satellite launches. Their materials maintain optical clarity after 10,000 thermal cycles.

Innovation:

  • Self-healing surface treatments under development
  • CTE-matched to GaAs and InP solar cells

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Solar Cell Cover Glasses Market – View in Detailed Research Report


4️⃣ 7. Ohara Corporation

Headquarters: Sagamihara, Japan
Key Offering: Ohara Space Glass™, Ultra-Low Outgassing Materials

Ohara’s glasses prevent molecular contamination in vacuum environments, critical for sensitive optical payloads operating alongside solar arrays. Their formulations meet strict NASA outgassing standards.

Quality Assurance:

  • ECSS-Q-ST-70-01C certified production
  • Lot traceability for space applications

3️⃣ 8. Rayotek Scientific

Headquarters: San Diego, California, USA
Key Offering: Mission-Specific Glass Solutions, Embedded Sensors

Rayotek develops customized cover glasses integrating microfeatures like radiation sensors and thermal monitors. Their glasses withstand micrometeoroid impacts at velocities up to 15km/s.

Technical Capabilities:

  • Embedded fiducial markers for panel alignment
  • Multi-layer coatings for extreme environments

2️⃣ 9. Nippon Electric Glass Co.

Headquarters: Otsu, Japan
Key Offering: EAGLE XG® Space Glass, Alkali-Free Formulations

NEG’s specialty glasses prevent ion migration that can degrade solar cell performance. Their formulations maintain optical properties after absorbing 1016 electrons/cm2 of radiation exposure.

Material Advantages:

  • CTE matched to multi-junction cells
  • UV cutoff at 280nm for enhanced stability

1️⃣ 10. Corning Incorporated

Headquarters: Corning, New York, USA
Key Offering: Willow® Glass, HPFS® Fused Silica

Corning applies its glass science expertise to space applications, developing ultrathin yet durable cover solutions. Their fused silica glass offers exceptional radiation resistance for multi-decade GEO missions.

Technology Pipeline:

  • Developed 50μm rollable glass for compact stowage
  • Testing self-cleaning surfaces for lunar applications

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Solar Cell Cover Glasses Market – View in Detailed Research Report


🚀 Outlook: The Next Frontier in Space Solar Protection

The solar cell cover glass industry stands at the threshold of revolutionary advancements as humanity expands its presence beyond Earth orbit. Emerging technologies will redefine power generation in space environments.

📈 Key Market Drivers:

  • Commercial satellite deployments exceeding 2,400 annually by 2025
  • NASA’s Artemis program requiring durable lunar surface power solutions
  • Military space solar initiatives demanding higher power densities
  • Breakthroughs in ultra-efficient multi-junction cell protection

Get Full Report Here:
Solar Cell Cover Glasses Market – View in Detailed Research Report

The companies leading this specialized market are developing the critical enabling technologies that will power humanity’s expansion into the solar system.