Ascent Solar
| Company type | Public |
|---|---|
| Industry | Photovoltaic technology |
| Founded | 2005 |
| Headquarters | Thornton, Colorado , United States |
Key people | Jeffery Max (CEO, since September 2022) |
| Products | Flexible CIGS solar cells, thin-film solar panels |
Ascent Solar Technologies, Inc. is a publicly listed company specializing in photovoltaic (PV) technology and is headquartered in Thornton, Colorado. Its primary offering consists of flexible CIGS solar cells fabricated on plastic substrates.
Technology
The company produces thin-film solar panels utilizing copper indium gallium (di)selenide semiconductor (CIGS) technology, achieving an operational efficiency of 10.5% as measured by NREL. Ascent Solar’s proprietary solution is distinguished by its compact size, lightweight nature, and flexibility: their CIGS modules generate 85 watts per square meter and 48 watts per kilogram, representing the highest power density and weight efficiency among flexible photovoltaic products. This innovation facilitates solar energy integration in applications where space and weight are limited, including mobile phones, aircraft, unmanned aerial vehicles, consumer electronics, rail transport, aerospace programs, and off-grid power systems. The technology received accolades such as inclusion in R&D Magazine’s "100 Most Innovative Technologies for 2010" and was named one of Time magazine’s "50 Best Inventions of 2011."
Market history
Since commencing production in 2013, Ascent Solar has collaborated with various partners including TFG Radiant to embed solar materials into building components, Foxconn for a pilot initiative at its Zhengzhou manufacturing site, and Bye Aerospace for the development of solar-powered unmanned aircraft.
Consumer products
In June 2012, the company introduced the EnerPlex brand featuring a solar-powered case designed for the iPhone 4. By October 2013, this product range expanded to include the Packr backpack equipped with solar charging capabilities. EnerPlex earned three MARCOM awards in 2016 recognizing excellence in retail marketing. On February 27, 2017, Ascent Solar divested the EnerPlex brand along with associated non-solar intellectual property to Hong Kong-based Sun Pleasure Co. Ltd., enabling a strategic focus on its specialized photovoltaic sector.
Corporate history
Established in 2005 by ITN Energy Systems to bring emerging energy innovations to market, Ascent Solar initially concentrated on advancing CIGS thin-film technology alongside scalable manufacturing processes.
The company launched its initial public offering on July 18, 2006, issuing three million shares at $5.50 each. In June 2007, Norway’s Norsk Hydro ASA acquired a 23% ownership stake in Ascent Solar, which grew to 35% by October 2008. CEO Matthew Foster resigned on September 22, 2008, during the company’s transition from research to manufacturing but continued as a consultant for an additional year. Production began at the Colorado facility on March 11, 2009, initially operating a single shift. Jeffery Max was appointed CEO in September 2022.
In April 2023, Ascent Solar announced its acquisition of Flisom AG, a Zurich-based firm specializing in lightweight flexible thin-film solar modules, accelerating its expansion within the global thin-film solar manufacturing market.
See also
External links
- Articles with short description
- Technology companies of the United States
- Solar energy companies of the United States
- Thin-film cell manufacturers
- Companies listed on the Nasdaq
- 2005 establishments in Colorado
- Thornton, Colorado
- Companies traded over-the-counter in the United States
- 2006 initial public offerings