News

2 February 2010

 

AXT wins 5-year Ge substrate contract from AZUR SPACE

AXT Inc of Fremont, CA, USA, which manufactures gallium arsenide, indium phosphide and germanium substrates and raw materials, has won a five-year contract for germanium (Ge) substrates with AZUR SPACE Solar Power GmbH of Heilbronn, Germany, a provider of solar cells for space and terrestrial applications.

AXT says that the contract is the result of a collaboration between the two firms that has enabled AZUR SPACE to obtain what is claimed to be an industry-leading average conversion efficiency of 40% for triple-junction concentrator photovoltaics (CPV) solar cells and 30% for triple-junction GaAs space solar cells.

“Since 1964, AZUR SPACE has been at the forefront of the development of solar technology and we are excited that our collaboration over the past months has resulted in one of the highest conversion efficiency rates in the industry, further advancing the potential of this important triple-junction CPV technology,” says CEO Morris Young. “We look forward to a long and prosperous relationship,” he adds.

“AXT has been a great partner to work with throughout the qualification process,” says Patrick Kilper, AZUR SPACE’s manager for supply management. “Its germanium substrates consistently met our stringent requirements and we are pleased that the company has its own source of germanium raw materials [through its China joint venture] to ensure adequate supply as customer demand for our solar cells continues to rise.”

AXT says that Ge is becoming more widely used for space and terrestrial solar cell applications as the worldwide focus on satellite technology and alternative energy development increases. Europe continues to lead the world in investment into solar energy development, but government subsidies in the USA, Asia and Australia are promoting the development of the technology around the world.

See related items:

AXT’s opto-related revenues to grow at 15-20% annually, forecasts analysts

Azur qualifies Veeco MOCVD system for production ramp of triple junction solar cells

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