News: Photovoltaics
4 April 2025
Ascent gains order to revise space PV module design for receiving beamed power
Ascent Solar Technologies Inc of Thornton, CO, USA – which makes lightweight, flexible copper indium gallium diselenide (CIGS) thin-film photovoltaic (PV) modules that can be integrated into consumer products, off-grid applications and aerospace applications – has received an order to revise the design of its space solar products after being evaluated by a potential customer interested in technologies capable of receiving beamed power.
Ascent’s CIGS PV products have undergone performance testing by multiple third parties evaluating technologies for receiving beamed power. An initial beamed-power optimized module was designed, prototyped and delivered to multiple third parties for testing and evaluation in less than one month’s time.
Ascent says that analysis of both the preliminary commercial off-the-shelf CIGS PV module and the beamed-power optimized CIGS PV module prototype test data validated its CIGS PV material’s superior thermal properties and demonstrated a pathway to further increase performance and power output. This design iteration was the basis of the most recent order received for the enhanced prototype after additional testing. Ascent is now fine-tuning module design modifications.
“As interest grows for power beaming and space-based solar power, our thin-film PV technology will stand out as a clear solution for that maximizing efficiency while mitigating the risks around solar solutions in space,” says CEO Paul Warley. “As we continue to fine-tune our technology to meet each of our customers’ unique needs, we expect to experience increased demand and revenue opportunities.”
Ascent says that its ability to quickly design, iterate and refine space solar array products in its 5MW manufacturing facility demonstrates the reliable Manufactured Readiness Levels (MRLs) for current and prospective customers. Compared with traditional space solar providers’ silicon-based PV products, Ascent says that its CIGS manufacturing process allows design features and production processes to be adjusted for each customer’s application needs. Such agile and bespoke design capabilities enable it to provide products meeting the needs of global customers as the space-based solar power market expands.
Ascent raises its CIGS PV efficiency from 15.5% to 17.55% in just six weeks
Ascent Solar’s custom-designed CIGS PV retains 92% of original power during space flight experiment
