A space-qualified solar panel developed in Turkey will be the basic load on the country’s first indigenous high-resolution observation satellite, İmece, planned to be launched into space in 2022.

It was developed by the Marmara Research Center (MAM) of the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TÜBITAK).

Having successfully completed all required tests, the solar panel will meet the energy needs of national satellites by producing electricity from sunlight.

The indigenous panel, with a capacity to produce 100 watts of power in challenging space conditions, will eliminate Turkey's foreign dependence on critical space technologies.

"Our solar panels have been transferred to the Space Institute, the partner of our project, and they are now ready for integration," TÜBITAK MAM Materials Institute Director Metin Usta told Anadolu Agency (AA).

"Ground level verification, qualification, and functionality tests of the solar panels have been successfully completed in accordance with international standards," Alper Seçgin, the project coordinator, said.