Ascent Solar Technologies establishes partnership with Darley Defense

Ascent Solar Technologies, Inc., a developer of lightweight, flexible thin-film photovoltaic systems, has announced a partnership with Darley Defense, a provider of defense, fire and emergency services equipment. The aim is to expand access to Ascent’s thin-film PV products across defense, federal, space and public sector markets, the companies jointly stated on 20^th October.

The partnership will combine Ascent’s CIGS solar products (copper indium gallium selenide solar cells) with Darley Defense’s procurement channels and reach across defense and government sectors. It could further enable market penetration and supports the Ascent’s ongoing mission to simplify how military and government customers evaluate, procure and deploy its advanced solar solutions to meet a broad range of power generation needs.

Ascent’s thin-film products are uniquely suitable for “expeditionary operations in punishing environments with limited access to power sources that often render conventional energy solutions inoperable,” the company stated. Thin-film PV’s lightweight, flexible design allows for extended field operations by alleviating dependence on batteries that regularly need time to recharge.

Paul Warley, CEO of Ascent, commented, “This partnership with Darley advances our commercial strategy of growing our presence in defense, space and other high-value industries. As military operations become increasingly reliant on advanced electronics, the durability of our thin-film products will play a crucial role in providing the power generation needed to carry out missions.

“Together, with Darley’s relationships within these markets, we plan to accelerate the adoption of our thin-film solar technology for applications in need of reduced logistical burdens and enhanced operational efficiency.”

Target applications include dismounted military operations, tactical communications equipment, remote sensors, unmanned aerial sensors (UAS), mobile command-and-control infrastructure and other mission-critical systems that require reliable expeditionary power.

Ascent delivers flexible thin-film solar panels, optimized for use in space, military and defense, and other applications where mass, performance, reliability, and resilience are paramount. Its PV modules have been deployed on space missions, multiple airborne vehicles, agrivoltaic installations, in construction and consumer goods. Its research and development center and 5-MW nameplate production facility is in Thornton, Colorado.