Ascent Solar has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with 'The Energy and Resource Institute' (TERI), based in New Delhi, India. Under the terms of the agreement, TERI will perform testing and performance evaluation of Ascent's flexible thin-film CIGS modules as well as looking at the feasibility of including these modules for TERI's flagship program 'Lighting a Billion Lives' (LaBL).
Akanksha Chaurey, director of Decentralised Electricity Solutions and the Lighting a Billion Lives Campaign at TERI, said, “Ascent Solar has been one of the forerunners in the development of futuristic technologies in the field of solar photovoltaic energy. Our collaboration with Ascent Solar will help engage the much needed newer, cutting-edge solar photovoltaic technologies into our ongoing electrification projects for rural applications including solar lighting through our flagship programme Lighting a Billion Lives.”
Ashutosh Misra, SVP of corporate development for Ascent Solar, said, “India is one of the largest off-grid electricity markets in the world and the need for innovative and cost competitive off-grid electricity generation in urban and rural markets in India presents a tremendous opportunity for Ascent Solar. TERI is a premier organization focusing on developing a range of technologies that have created new paradigms of development underlining the sustainable use of natural resources, and are proven for their effectiveness and economic viability.”
“Our joint collaboration to develop various solar energy solutions for TERI's rural electrification projects including its flagship 'Lighting a Billion Lives' based on solar technology provides us with a unique opportunity to grow our market share in India. Our unique, lightweight, ruggedized, high power density thin-film CIGS modules enable ease of installation, handling and transport that are an ideal solution for LaBL and other programs like it,” concluded Misra.
