Paul Warley, CEO of Ascent Solar Technologies Inc. (NASDAQ: ASTI), recently appeared on Benzinga All Access to discuss the company's expansion in the solar space market. Ascent Solar specializes in featherweight, flexible, and durable CIGS thin-film photovoltaic solutions, which Warley says are ideally suited for space applications.
“What’s exciting about our product is we’re lighter weight than everybody, we are very flexible, you can roll it up and unroll,” Warley told Benzinga during the interview. “If you want to move a satellite, you move the satellite easier or if you know there is going to be certain space debris coming, you can roll it up to protect the solar. Also, we're much lighter, so it costs less to put it into space.”
Warley emphasized that Ascent Solar's manufacturing readiness sets the company apart from competitors. With over 15 years of experience producing solar solutions, Ascent Solar can customize solar arrays to meet specific customer requirements. The ability to produce lightweight and flexible panels reduces launch costs, a critical factor for space missions where every kilogram matters.
The full interview is available on YouTube at this link.
Ascent Solar's technology leverages CIGS (copper indium gallium selenide) thin-film cells, which offer high efficiency and flexibility compared to traditional rigid silicon panels. This flexibility allows the panels to be rolled up for compact storage during launch and unrolled once in orbit, providing protection against space debris and enabling easier satellite maneuvering.
The company's focus on space applications comes as the satellite industry grows, with increasing demand for small satellites and constellations. Lightweight solar panels can help reduce overall mission costs, making space more accessible for commercial and scientific purposes.
Featured image from Shutterstock.
This content was originally published on Benzinga. Read further disclosures here.
