Ascent Solar's Space Market Expansion Positions Company for Growth in 2026

Ascent Solar Technologies Inc. (NASDAQ: ASTI) achieved significant milestones in 2025 by expanding its featherweight, flexible CIGS thin-film photovoltaic solutions into the space market, positioning the company for strength in 2026. The company engaged with strategic partners including NASA and defense contractors, with customers choosing its solar panels for their performance in extreme environments, low light conditions, and lightweight, bendable properties.

One notable partnership was with NOVI Space Inc., a company that makes and operates AI-powered satellites. In March, the two companies inked a Master Services Agreement under which Ascent provides NOVI with rollable PV array blankets for real-time Earth Observation insights directly from space. These PV array blankets will be used in NOVI's AI edge processing constellation slated to launch in early 2026. Ascent's ability to deliver solar arrays in six to eight weeks, compared to the industry standard of nine to 12 months, proved to be a key differentiator that attracted NOVI and other customers.

Ascent is also working with NASA Marshall Space Flight Center, with support from NASA Glenn Research Center, to develop technology that can receive beamed power using its PVs. This technology involves beaming energy from satellites or orbital vehicles to thin, flexible PV panels affixed to spacecraft via microwave or laser beam. Once captured in the CIGS PV modules, spacecraft can operate for longer periods while being lighter and cheaper to manufacture due to fewer parts and less equipment needed for power. Beyond space applications, an ocean monitoring company is testing Ascent Solar's PV functionality and durability in aquatic terrestrial applications to enable persistent operation of ocean-based monitoring technologies.

The company is pursuing the solar space market through multiple partnerships within an industry projected to reach $6.8 billion by 2040. In November, Ascent announced a collaboration with CisLunar Industries to develop long-lasting power solutions for extended commercial, civil, and defense space missions. Another strategic partnership with Defiant Space Corp. focuses on pursuing opportunities in the U.S. defense and national security sectors. Additionally, Ascent signed a memorandum of understanding with Star Catcher Industries, which claims to be creating the first space energy grid. This partnership enables satellite operators to access up to five to ten times more power by transmitting concentrated solar energy to existing onboard solar arrays without new equipment.

To advance its technology offerings, Ascent formed several technical alliances throughout 2025. One significant deal was with Emtel Energy USA to combine Emtel's graphene-based, long-duration energy storage with Ascent's PVs to power satellites, spacecraft, and other space architecture. These collaborations have contributed to Ascent's optimistic outlook as the company enters 2026 with $2 million in gross proceeds from a private placement, with potential for up to $3.5 million in aggregate proceeds upon full exercise of warrants.

Ascent's immediate focus for early 2026 includes adhering to an aggressive production schedule to deliver on booked orders for array deployments planned for the first quarter. The company will simultaneously advance cell efficiency for its ASTI CIGS thin-film technology. The CEO's planned trip to the European Union to meet with strategic satellite players and decision-makers could drive additional deals, customer wins, and collaborations, potentially resulting in more development and deliveries of solar arrays for European partners in the first half of 2026. During the first quarter, Ascent will continue advanced environmental testing to quantify performance in extreme space conditions, including radiation and atomic oxygen resilience testing, while maintaining collaborations with partners secured in 2025.