Azur Space Solar Power GmbH
As one of the global leaders with more than 50 years’ experience in high-efficiency solar space cell technology, AZUR SPACE uses its technological expertise to contribute its significant part to the space and CPV market. The production facility of AZUR SPACE includes epitaxy, cell technology, assembly and testing divisions with an operation capability of 24 hours on seven days a week. AZUR SPACE Solar Power GmbH has about 250 employees. The company is located in Heilbronn, Germany and headed by Roland Dubois. AZUR SPACE is part of the 5N Plus group.
Company details
Find locations served, office locations
- Business Type:
- Manufacturer
- Industry Type:
- Solar Energy
- Market Focus:
- Internationally (various countries)
About us
The roots of AZUR SPACE Solar Power
The roots are closely linked to more than 100 years of industrial history of AEG-Telefunken.
Founded in 1964 as a part of Telefunken, the company developed and manufactured solar cells for the first German satellite 'AZUR', launched in 1969. Since that time, more than 10 million Si as well as 3 million GaAs solar cells have been provided for more than 550 space projects.
Please find below the video from the start of the first German satellite in 1969:
- 1964 Telefunken GmbH
- 1982 AEG
- 1989 Daimler Chrysler Aerospace
- 1994 Angewandte Solarenergie ASE
- 2000 RWE
- 2002 RWE Space Solar Power GmbH
- 2006 AZUR SPACE Solar Power GmbH
The technologies initially developed by AZUR SPACE for space applications, are now used in terrestrial PV manufacturing and made AZUR SPACE to the pioneer of European photovoltaics.
Technical Milestones
1964
Silicon space solar cell reached 8 % efficiency at AM0
1969
The first German solar-powered satellite “AZUR” was launched into orbit.
1974
First multi-crystalline Si solar cell with 10 % efficiency at AM 1.5 (in cooperation with Wacker Chemitronic-Telefunken)
1983
First fully automated terrestrial production line in screen printing technology
1986
High efficiency Si solar cell reached 18 % efficiency at AM0
1990
Ultrathin (5 µm) GaAs solar cell reached 20 % efficiency at AM0
2001
First European triple-junction (TJ) GaAs space solar cell with 25 % efficiency at AM0
2004
First CPV solar cell with more than 32% efficiency at AM1.5d
2008
Triple-junction GaAs solar cell with 30% efficiency at AM0
2009
World Record lattice-mismatch CPV GaAs triple-junction cell with 41.1% efficiency at AM1.5d (in cooperation with ISE)
2012
Triple-junction solar cell with 35 % efficiency at AM1.5 for terrestrial one sun applications in large-scale production
2017
First Quadruple-junction space solar cell 4G32C with 32% beginning-of-life efficiency and 28.7% end-of-life efficiency at AM0 conditions
2019
Triple-junction space solar cells adapted for low-intensity low-temperature (LILT) conditions for missions to Jupiter
2022
First quintuple-junction solar cells 5C46 for terrestrial CPV applications
2023
Quadruple-junction space solar cells 4G32C-Advanced on 150 mm substrates
Spectrum Explanations
AM0 (Air Mass Zero) = standardized sun light spectrum outside the earth atmosphere.
AM1.5 (Air Mass 1.5) = standardized sun light spectrum, applied for terrestrial PV applications. It is also called AM1.5G as G stands for global and includes direct and diffuse radiation.
AM1.5d (Air Mass 1.5d) = standardized sun light spectrum, applied for terrestrial CPV applications. D stands for direct and includes direct radiation only.
Quality Management
AZUR SPACE is fully committed to Quality that involves every level of activity from individual employees through and including our Management Board. AZUR SPACE's objectives are 100% reliability, continuous improvement and total customer satisfaction. Key space products are qualified to European (ECSS) andto U.S. (AIAA) standards as well as to customer specific requirements. CPV products are manufactured in accordance to the IEC standards.
AZUR SPACE is currently ISO 9001:2015 (Quality Management System) and also EN 9100:2018 (Quality Management System for Aviation Space & Defence) certified. (EN 9100:2018 is the technical equivalent of AS 9100D and JISQ 9100:2016.)
Additionally, AZUR SPACE is presently certified to ISO 14001:2015 (Environmental Management System) as well as ISO 45001:2018 (Occupational Health & Safety).
AZUR SPACE intends to continue these certifications beyond the current expiration dates in 2023 and 2025 as shown below in the individual certificates.