Ascent Solar Technologies Achieves Record New Efficiency of 15.7% at Production Scale for its CIGS Solar Technology

Rhea-AI Summary

Ascent Solar Technologies (NASDAQ: ASTI) has achieved a record efficiency of 15.7% (AM0) at production scale for its thin-film CIGS photovoltaic technology. Using the Titan™ module, approximately one square foot in size, the company can now produce 15.7 watts in power per unit. The modules are ultra-thin at 0.03mm thickness and weigh just over eight grams, delivering an impressive power density of 1960W/kg before encapsulation. The company has shown consistent efficiency improvements over 18 months, progressing from 11.6 watts in Q3 2023 to the current 15.7 watts in Q2 2025. This advancement aligns with Ascent's 2025 strategy to enhance material quality and technological efficiency, particularly targeting the space market.

Positive

• Achieved record efficiency of 15.7% at production scale, showing significant technological advancement
• Demonstrated consistent efficiency improvements from 11.6W to 15.7W over 18 months
• Ultra-lightweight design at just over 8 grams with high power density of 1960W/kg
• Technology advancement positions company strongly for the space market satellite power systems

Negative

• None.

Insights

Solar Technology Expert

Ascent's 15.7% CIGS efficiency represents significant technological breakthrough with major implications for space applications and competitive positioning.

Ascent Solar's achievement of 15.7% efficiency (AM0) for its thin-film CIGS technology marks a substantial leap forward in lightweight solar technology. This efficiency translates to 15.7 watts of power generation from their one-square-foot Titan™ module, with an extraordinary power density of 1960W/kg before encapsulation.

The technical progression has been methodical and impressive, showing consistent improvement from 11.6 watts in Q3 2023 to the current 15.7 watts in Q2 2025. This 35% efficiency increase in just 21 months demonstrates exceptional R&D execution.

What makes this breakthrough particularly significant is the combination of high efficiency with extreme lightweight properties. At just 0.03mm thickness and eight grams in weight, these modules offer unparalleled power-to-weight ratios crucial for space applications. The space market demands solar solutions that minimize launch weight while maximizing power generation – Ascent's technology directly addresses this requirement.

For context, traditional rigid silicon panels typically range from 15-22% efficiency but at significantly higher weight and without flexibility. Ascent's technology approaches comparable efficiency while offering dramatic advantages in form factor and weight – critical differentiators for specialized applications like satellites.

This efficiency milestone represents not just incremental improvement but a potential inflection point for market adoption, particularly in the high-value space sector where power density is a premium feature worth significant price premiums.

THORNTON, Colo., June 09, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Ascent Solar Technologies, (Nasdaq: ASTI) ("Ascent" or the "Company"), the leading U.S. innovator in the design and manufacture of featherweight, flexible, and durable CIGS thin-film photovoltaic (PV) solutions, today announced that its thin-film CIGS technology reached record efficiency at 15.7% (AM0) at production scale. This achievement aligns with the Company’s previously announced 2025 strategy which aimed to continue improving upon its thin-film PV’s material quality, technological efficiency and production design optimization to increase the applicability of the technology in the space market.

Using the Titan™, a module approximately one square foot in size, Ascent can now produce a formidable 15.7 watts in power per unit. These modules are approximately 0.03mm in thickness and just over eight grams in weight, possess an impressive power density of 1960W/kg before encapsulation.

Ascent’s engineering and production teams have consistently achieved increases in device efficiency and overall performance since September 2023. In the last 18 months, Ascent has reached significant milestones in efficiency testing, with the latest achievement of 15.7% representing a significant increase from Q1 2024:

• Q3 2023: 11.6 watts
• Q4 2023: 13.3 watts
• Q1 2024: 14.0 watts
• Q2 2025: 15.7 watts

(Note: Power generation figures reflect STC conditions and AM0)

"These continued efficiency improvements for our CIGS arrays are the direct result of our U.S.-based manufacturing team’s tireless focus on process improvement and advanced device engineering," said Paul Warley, CEO of Ascent Solar Technologies. "The jump in device efficiency we’ve experienced over the past two years has dramatically enhanced our technology’s readiness for the space market, positioning it as an ideal solar material choice for satellite power systems and other spacecraft."

About Ascent Solar Technologies, Inc.

Backed by 40 years of R&D, 15 years of manufacturing experience, numerous awards, and a comprehensive IP and patent portfolio, Ascent Solar Technologies, Inc. is a leading provider of innovative, high-performance, flexible thin-film solar panels for use in environments where mass, performance, reliability, and resilience matter. Ascent’s photovoltaic (PV) modules have been deployed on space missions, multiple airborne vehicles, agrivoltaic installations, in industrial/commercial construction as well as an extensive range of consumer goods, revolutionizing the use cases and environments for solar power. Ascent Solar’s research and development center and 5-MW nameplate production facility is in Thornton, Colorado. To learn more, visit https://www.ascentsolar.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

Statements in this press release that are not statements of historical or current fact constitute "forward-looking statements" including statements about the financing transaction, our business strategy, and the potential uses of the proceeds from the transaction. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other unknown factors that could cause the company's actual operating results to be materially different from any historical results or from any future results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. We have based these forward-looking statements on our current assumptions, expectations, and projections about future events. In addition to statements that explicitly describe these risks and uncertainties, readers are urged to consider statements that contain terms such as "will," "believes," "belief," "expects," "expect," "intends," "intend," "anticipate," "anticipates," "plans," "plan," to be uncertain and forward-looking. No information in this press release should be construed as any indication whatsoever of our future revenues, stock price, or results of operations. The forward-looking statements contained herein are also subject generally to other risks and uncertainties that are described from time to time in the company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission including those discussed under the heading "Risk Factors" in our most recently filed reports on Forms 10-K and 10-Q.

Media Contact

Spencer Herrmann
FischTank PR
ascent@fischtankpr.com

FAQ

What is the new efficiency record achieved by Ascent Solar (ASTI) for its CIGS technology?

Ascent Solar achieved a record efficiency of 15.7% (AM0) at production scale for its CIGS solar technology in Q2 2025.

How has ASTI's solar efficiency improved since 2023?

ASTI's efficiency improved from 11.6 watts in Q3 2023 to 13.3W in Q4 2023, 14.0W in Q1 2024, and reached 15.7W in Q2 2025.

What are the specifications of ASTI's Titan™ solar module?

The Titan™ module is approximately one square foot in size, 0.03mm thick, weighs over 8 grams, and produces 15.7 watts with a power density of 1960W/kg before encapsulation.

What markets is Ascent Solar targeting with its improved CIGS technology?

Ascent Solar is primarily targeting the space market, positioning its technology for satellite power systems and other spacecraft applications.

How does ASTI's new solar technology benefit the space industry?

The technology's ultra-lightweight design, high power density, and improved efficiency make it ideal for satellite power systems and spacecraft applications where weight and power generation are crucial factors.