This paper gives an overview of the main research directions in chalcopyrite material research and the application of results for the improvement and fabrication of solar cells. So far the copper indium gallium sulphur selenide material family is the base for the highest efficiency thin-film solar cells and the most advanced in terms of actual commercialisation. The transfer of research results into actual production from its early stage and the development of the chalcopyrite thin-film solar cell industry are sketched. The last part of the review shortly describes a number of current industrial players involved in the manufacturing of chalcopyrite solar cells. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.