AXT, Inc. Announces 5-year Contract for Germanium Substrate With AZUR SPACE
This contract is the result of a collaboration of the two companies that has enabled AZUR SPACE to obtain an industry-leading 40 percent conversion efficiency rate in average for Triple Junction CPV solar cells and the 30 percent conversion efficiency rate in average for Triple Junction GaAs space solar cells.
"We are very pleased to announce our successful partnership with AZUR SPACE," said Morris Young, chief executive officer of AXT, Inc. "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. We are thrilled to be working with them and look forward to a long and prosperous relationship."
"AXT has been a great partner to work with throughout the qualification process," said Patrick Kilper, Manager Supply Management of AZUR SPACE. "Its germanium substrates consistently met our stringent requirements and we are pleased that the company has its own source of germanium raw materials to ensure adequate supply as customer demand for our solar cells continues to rise."
Germanium is a single-element substrate used to produce devices for photovoltaic applications. The material 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 rest of the world in investment into solar energy development, but government subsidies in the United States, Asia and Australia are promoting the development of this technology around the world.
AXT is a leading supplier of germanium substrates and uniquely has its own source of germanium raw material through its China joint venture.
