The US Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) has verified that the modules measured as high as 9.64% in conversion efficiency. The tested modules were produced at the company’s 1.5MW pilot production line in Denver.
Ascent Solar claims that it is developing the thin-film photovoltaic (PV) modules to be more flexible and affordable than most traditional solar panels. Hydro began investing in the company in 2007, and now holds a 35% stake.
According to the company, Ascent Solar modules can be directly integrated into standard building materials, including Hydro Building Systems’s aluminum facades.
Prem Nath, senior vice president of manufacturing for Ascent Solar, said: “We have been working to achieve these efficiencies during our internal optimization process, and we see that this achievement as a breakthrough. The test modules measure six inches wide by one foot long and serve as our building block for portable power and building integrated PV products.”
Formed in 1994, the aim of Ascent Solar is to commercialize CIGS Photovoltaic technology. It has performed approximately 35 contracts for private and government entities in advanced PV technologies, claims the company. Government sponsors of these contracts include the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory, the National Science Foundation, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, the Missile Defense Agency and NASA.
