Ascent Solar Expands Thin-Film Technology Testing in Extreme Ocean and Space Environments

Ascent Solar Technologies Inc. (NASDAQ: ASTI) has delivered test samples to two customers to evaluate its solar technology in extreme environments, marking a significant expansion of its thin-film photovoltaic applications beyond space exploration. The company's featherweight, flexible CIGS thin-film PV solutions are now being tested for both underwater and space-based applications, demonstrating the technology's versatility across challenging operational conditions.

One customer, an ocean monitoring technology company developing autonomous underwater vehicles, will test Ascent's solar technology for functionality and durability in aquatic terrestrial applications. The goal is to enable persistent equipment operation of ocean-based monitoring technologies that require high speed, endurance, and sensing capabilities throughout the world's oceans. This testing represents a strategic move into the marine environment solar market, which is forecast to grow from $1.2 billion today to $3.5 billion by 2033 according to industry projections.

The second customer, a manufacturer of cutting-edge power lasers for space and defense industries, will evaluate Ascent's PVs for space-based power beaming receiving capabilities. This testing focuses on technologies that enable the transmission of power between satellites in orbit, addressing a critical need in the growing space industry that represents a $6.8 billion opportunity for Ascent by 2040. The company's ability to deliver solar arrays in six to eight weeks, significantly faster than competitors' nine to 12-month lead times, provides a competitive advantage in these rapidly evolving markets.

Paul Warley, CEO of Ascent Solar Technologies, emphasized the unique opportunities in underwater and space applications for thin-film PV technology. The lightweight, flexible, and durable design allows the technology to withstand immense pressures and tempestuous conditions that define these extreme environments. Ascent's products perform well in low-light conditions and extreme temperatures while being more cost-effective to manufacture than existing solutions, making them particularly suitable for these demanding applications.

These new testing initiatives build on Ascent's existing partnerships with major space organizations. The company previously collaborated with NASA Marshall Space Flight Center and NASA Glenn Research Center to develop space-based power systems using Ascent's CIGS PV modules. Additionally, the company's summer agreement with NOVI Space Inc. involves providing rollable PV array blankets for AI-powered satellites that deliver real-time Earth Observation insights directly from space.

The growing demand for alternatives to traditional power sources in extreme environments is driven by multiple factors, including new environmental regulations, global efforts to reduce carbon footprints, and advances in solar panel efficiencies. Solar technology has proven increasingly reliable and cost-effective for powering vessels and equipment necessary for exploring both the solar system and the world's oceans. Ascent's CIGS PV products, based on years of research and development and manufactured in its Thornton, Colorado, 5MW production facility, position the company to capitalize on these emerging opportunities across multiple industries.