AZUR SPACE SOLAR POWER GMBH

Their core work

AZUR SPACE is a German manufacturer of high-efficiency multi-junction solar cells for space and concentrated photovoltaic (CPV) applications. They develop III-V semiconductor solar cells — particularly GaInP/GaInAs/Ge triple-junction cells — used to power satellites, space missions, and terrestrial concentrator systems. Their H2020 work focuses on pushing solar cell efficiency beyond 30%, improving radiation hardness for space environments, and developing advanced manufacturing techniques for large-area substrates. They are one of Europe's key suppliers of space-grade photovoltaic technology.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

AZUR SPACE's early H2020 involvement (2015-2016) spanned both terrestrial and space photovoltaics — CPVMatch addressed ground-based concentrator systems while SiLaSpaCe focused on space-grade triple-junction cells with additive layer manufacturing. From 2017 onward, their work shifted decisively toward space applications and ultra-high efficiency: RadHard (their coordinated project) targeted radiation-hardened cells, and ALFAMA addressed flexible lightweight arrays for spacecraft. The terrestrial CPV thread narrowed to tandem cell research (SiTaSol), suggesting a strategic pivot toward space as their primary market.

AZUR SPACE is consolidating around space-grade photovoltaics, with growing emphasis on radiation hardness and lightweight flexible designs — positioning for next-generation satellite and deep-space power systems.

How they like to work

AZUR SPACE primarily joins consortia as a specialist partner (4 of 5 projects), contributing their solar cell manufacturing and III-V semiconductor expertise to larger research teams. They coordinated one project (RadHard), their largest by funding, suggesting they take the lead when the topic is squarely in their core domain. With 22 unique partners across 9 countries, they maintain a broad European network typical of an industrial partner that is sought after for specific technical capabilities rather than building repeat alliances.

AZUR SPACE has collaborated with 22 distinct partners across 9 European countries, indicating they are a well-connected industrial partner in the space and photovoltaics research community. Their network spans both space technology institutes and solar energy research groups.

What sets them apart

AZUR SPACE occupies a rare position as a private industrial manufacturer of III-V multi-junction solar cells operating at the intersection of space technology and advanced photovoltaics. Unlike university labs that publish on cell concepts, AZUR SPACE brings actual production capability for space-qualified cells — they can take a research result and manufacture it at scale on large-area substrates. For consortium builders, they offer the critical bridge between laboratory cell efficiency records and flight-ready hardware.

Highlights from their portfolio

• RadHard
  Their only coordinated project and largest funding (EUR 950K), focused on their absolute core competence — radiation-hard space solar cells on large substrates.
• CPVMatch
  Largest overall project budget share (EUR 674K) and their most significant terrestrial photovoltaics involvement, targeting highest-efficiency concentrating PV modules.
• SiTaSol
  Ambitious 30% efficiency target for silicon-based tandem cells represents the push toward next-generation terrestrial solar technology.