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Thin, flexible solar cell modules from Ascent Solar.
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Matthew Foster, CEO of Ascent Solar
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Close partners
Ascent Solar and Hydro are partners in an exciting new project that can revolutionize the way we use energy to heat, cool and illuminate buildings.
It makes sense to use a building’s large flat surfaces to help gather energy, but many solar panels currently available are only suited for rooftop applications. Ascent Solar is working on a better concept: super-thin flexible film solar cell modules. That’s right - flexible.
“Today’s photovoltaic solutions are completely inflexible. With Ascent Solar's technologies, we can really overcome the gaps,” says Werner Jäger of Hydro Building Systems.
New shapes
Ascent Solar’s thin flexible solar cell modules can be shaped in ways not possible until now, including making them an integral part of building facade elements. This way, the solar cells become part of the architecture and can take advantage of much more of a building’s surface area.
Matthew Foster, president and CEO of Ascent Solar, explains: “The idea here is to be able to integrate the thin film photovoltaic materials into building materials, and do all that integration in the factory.”
Hydro has also become part owner in Ascent Solar, creating a close partnership. Says Foster: “It’s a strong opportunity and relationship for us. Though we are a very small company, we now have a global reach. Both parties are trying to make Ascent Solar a success.”
Bright idea.
