Solar Cells Info

Ascent Solar and PermaCity Solar to Develop New Photovoltaic Systems for the Terrestrial MarketLITTLETON, Colo.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Ascent Solar Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ:ASTI) (BSX:AKC) and PermaCity Solar announced today that they have begun co-development of a new suite of photovoltaic (PV) products and systems for the growing terrestrial market that includes large commercial buildings, master planned communities, vertical high rise structures, and residential homes. Combining the existing customer base and system engineering and integration expertise of PermaCity Solar with the flexible, thin-film module manufacturing expertise of Ascent Solar, the venture aims to deliver PV systems that offer significant performance and cost advantages over existing silicon-based solutions.

Ascent Solar’s large, roll format modules should provide inherent cost and system integration advantages over the small, fragile, bulky and rigid silicon modules in use today. The Ascent Solar thin-film PV on plastic with laser-patterned cell integration allows modules to be automatically sized in custom fashion to the unique requirements of each customer’s design needs. Analysis of a recent 600 kW silicon-based system installed by PermaCity Solar on a large commercial building suggests that the Ascent Solar module manufacturing technique may be able to provide as much as 35% more roof top coverage because silicon-based modules of today are routinely inhibited by ill-positioned roof obstructions like vent pipes, sky lights and HVAC equipment. PermaCity Solar and Ascent Solar plan to develop an integrated manufacturing technique that will link the PV system computer aided design (CAD) directly to the laser patterning control system in the factory to customize the size and shape of the modules for each unique installation.

Ascent Solar President and CEO Matthew Foster states, Our manufacturing processes produce product at the module level which completely eliminates the current back-end assembly of cells into modules and allows for made-to-order systems. We are excited about the opportunity to collaborate with an industry expert such as PermaCity Solar and to be able to supply Building Integrated PV (BIPV) at the system level directly into the market. In addition to an established presence in the market, PermaCity Solar brings a much broader dimension to our module developments. Collectively, we have already begun to realize new and exciting capabilities and opportunities with our technology that we had not previously envisioned.”