Formed in 1964, AZUR SPACE Solar Power GmbH is a world leader in high performance space-grade solar power solutions.
Founded in Heilbronn, Germany, and built for more than 60 years with organic growth our 350 associates contribute to the expanding capabilities of space and terrestrial power solutions.
Located continuously in Heilbronn’s Telefunken Technology Park, AZUR SPACE has delivered more than 16 Mega Watts of solar power products in all space and earth-based applications.
1964
First Silicon space solar cell reach 8% efficiency at AM0
1969
AZUR SPACE’s first satellite program, GRS-A, began work in 1965. NASA and the German Ministry for Scientific Research renamed GRS-A as “Azur” upon successful launch and completion of mission objectives in 1969.
1974
AZUR SPACE’s first multi-crystalline silicon solar cell with efficiency of 10% was completed (AM1.5)
1983
First fully automated terrestrial production line completed
1986
First high-efficiency silicon solar cell of >18% efficiency (AM0)
1999
AZUR SPACE’s first MOCVD tool arrives
2001
First European Triple Junction Solar Cell completed
2007
Name AZUR SPACE adopted
2008
Triple-junction solar cell with 30% efficiency at AM0
2009
World record lattice-mismatched CPV triple-junction solar cell with 41.1% efficiency at AM1.5d (in cooperation with Fraunhofer ISE)
2010
AZUR SPACE’s 10 Millionth Silicon Solar Cell delivered
2011
Nominated for the German Federal President's Award for Technology and Innovation (together with Fraunhofer ISE)
2012
Triple-junction solar cell with 35% efficiency at AM1.5 for terrestrial one sun applications in large-scale production
2013
First Triple Junction Solar Cell Assembly (SCA / CIC) delivered to commercial satellite program.
2017
- First quadruple-junction space solar cell 4G32C with 32% beginning-of-life efficiency and 28.7% end-of-life efficiency at AM0
- Delivered 1 Millionth Multi-Junction Solar Device
2018
Laser power converters achieve efficiencies above 60%
2019
- Production of first GaAs power diodes (together with 3-5 PE)
- Triple-junction space solar cells adapted for low-intensity low-temperature (LILT) conditions for missions to Jupiter
2020
Expansion into new office building on site to make room for production expansion
2021
Becomes part of Montreal based 5N Plus
2022
First quintuple-junction solar cells 5C46 for terrestrial CPV applications
2023
Delivered 4 Millionth Multi-Junction Solar Cell
2024
- Mass-production of SMT compatible solar cells (together with Sierra Space Corp.)
- Increased production capacity by 35%
2025
- Delivers 6 Millionth Multi-Junction Solar cell
- Adapted quadruple-junction solar cell for deep-space missions and for missions to Mars
