News: Photovoltaics
28 October 2026
Ascent Solar co-hosts executive networking event to strengthen industry relationships with space innovators
Ascent Solar Technologies Inc of Thornton, CO, USA — which designs and makes lightweight, flexible copper indium gallium diselenide (CIGS) thin-film photovoltaic (PV) panels that can be integrated into consumer products, off-grid applications and aerospace applications — was co-host of an executive networking event on 20 October in Willow Springs, California, that brought together leaders and innovators from across the commercial space industry to discuss emerging technologies, mission requirements, and opportunities for future collaboration.
Ascent leadership — including CEO Paul Warley, chairman of the board David Peterson, and director of strategic sales Tom Bawol — liaised with executives and representatives from various organizations including Venturi Astrolab, Impulse Space, Breakwater Strategies, and Sophia Space. Discussions showcased Ascent’s thin-film PV technology and its ability to help meet modern space mission power needs to organizations that are actively developing next-generation space technology.
As commercial space missions expand their reach into increasingly ambitious projects — like orbital data centers, lunar exploration and advanced spacecraft platforms — the demand for lightweight, reliable and high-performance power generation solutions grows larger. Ascent reckons that this demand positions its flexible solar technology as a reliable, ready-made solution to support these evolving mission needs, as it offers significant advantages in mass reduction, design flexibility, and integration versatility.
“Space innovation is accelerating rapidly. As that exponential growth occurs, so too does the fundament need for reliable, efficient power generation to enable the next generation of missions,” says Warley. “Directly engaging with the very organizations that are shaping the future of space allows us to better understand their evolving needs while also demonstrating how Ascent’s technology can help power their ambitions. The connections established during this event have led to ongoing relationships and discussions that could lead to future revenue that would expand the role our flexible solar solutions play throughout the space industry.”
Ascent reckons that its fully US-manufactured solar solutions and secure domestic supply chain differentiate it in an industry that is increasingly focused on supply chain resilience and alignment with US government and defense procurement requirements. These domestic manufacturing capabilities position Ascent to readily support both commercial space innovators and government programs in swift need of reliable solar power technologies, the firm adds.
Ascent Solar broadens thin-film space PV testing beyond NASA’s low Earth orbit results
