Ascent Solar Tapped by U.S. Air Force to Develop Thin-Film Tandem Solar Cell

Energy Resource, May 9, 2007

ENERGY RESOURCE-9 May 2007-Ascent Solar Tapped by U.S. Air Force to Develop Thin-Film Tandem Solar Cell(C)2007 JeraOne - http://www.jeraone.com

Ascent Solar Technologies Inc. has been selected by the U.S. Air Force to develop a flexible thin-film tandem solar cell with the goal of demonstrating thin-film photovoltaic efficiencies of 20%.

The program will be performed under a phase one Small Business Innovative Research contract.

"This important Air Force program builds upon significant work already performed by Ascent Solar personnel in the area of wide bandgap thin-film photovoltaic technology. In particular, this program will demonstrate the ability to make solar cells using a new material system that has the potential to serve as the top cell of a new and innovative tandem solar cell configuration on which Ascent Solar has been working," said Ascent Solar Vice President and Chief Technology Officer Dr. Joseph Armstrong.

Tandem solar cells are a combination of two cells stacked atop one another, with the top and bottom cells gathering energy from separate parts of the solar spectrum. Tandem cells require two solar cells that not only have the desired electrical and optical properties, but must also share compatible manufacturing processes.

"It's like putting two efficient technologies in a hybrid car, each with its own strengths, but performing better together than either one individually. We are delighted that the U.S. Air Force selected Ascent Solar to work with it in this exciting and promising technology area," Armstrong said.

For more information, visit www.ascentsolar.com.

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