Ascent Solar has reported a record efficiency of 15.7% for its CIGS solar technology at production scale
This is a significant improvement over 14.0 W reported in Q1 2024 by the company
This efficiency reflects the standard test conditions and zero atmosphere environment
Ascent has also signed master services agreement to provide NOVI with rollable PV array blankets for its AI-powered satellites
US-based thin-film solar technology company Ascent Solar Technologies has announced a breakthrough in its thin-film Copper Indium Gallium Selenide (CIGS) solar PV technology, achieving a ‘record’ efficiency of 15.7% at production scale.
The efficiency is a consistent improvement over the past 18 months as it went up from 11.6 W in Q3 2023 to 13.3 W in the following quarter, reaching 14.0 W in Q1 2024.
It says this efficiency reflects the standard test conditions (STC) and zero atmosphere (AM0) environment of its Titan module, approximately 1 square foot in size.
“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,” said Ascent Solar CEO Paul Warley.
Ascent’s Titan modules are approximately 0.03mm in thickness and weigh just over 8 grams with a power density of 1960W/kg before encapsulation. The company had earlier announced plans to launch Titan modules optimized for space environment with a record power output of 17.55% efficiency and was planning to ship it from Q1 2024 (see Solar Modules From US Manufacturer Picked For Space Mission).
Produced at its 5 MW nameplate production facility in Colorado, the company supplies its modules for airborne vehicles, agrivoltaic installations, commercial and industrial (C&I) segment, and consumer goods, apart from space missions.
Ascent recently also entered a master services agreement with Virginia-based space company NOVI Space to supply its rollable PV array blankets. These will be used for the former’s AI-powered satellites to offer Earth Observation insights directly from space, which are to be launched in early 2026.
NOVI will also provide Ascent with solar array operational performance data from orbit for it to iterate and validate product enhancements for future missions.