Ascent Solar Technologies, a developer of flexible thin-film PV modules, has signed an agreement to supply BIPV thin-film laminates to Foxconn. The laminates will be used as part of a pilot installation at Foxconn’s new plant in Zhenzhou City, Henan Province, China. Foxconn is a specialist in the manufacture of electronic devices and produces products such as the iPad and iPhone.
According to Ascent, its BIPV solar laminates are flexible and lightweight, allowing the laminates to be integrated seamlessly into the building structure in ways conventional glass-back PV technology cannot.
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Ascent Solar’s president and CEO, Victor Lee, said, “We are honored to be selected by Foxconn to provide our lightweight, durable, flexible thin-film solar modules in this new factory. We plan to demonstrate the value of our technology and we hope to build a long term relationship with Foxconn.”
The supply deal is in line with Ascent’s plans to re-enter the BIPV market with a specific focus on the Asian market. TFG Radiant Investment Group — who became the company’s largest shareholder in April after buying all of the Ascent common stock from shareholder Norsk Hydro Produksjon AS for approximately US$0.50 per share — has a particularly large presence in Asia.
This year has been especially positive for Ascent. On announcement of this news, Bloomberg stated that Ascent’s shares increased by 6.1% to US$1.22 at the close of the day in New York. Furthermore, Reuters revealed that the company’s shares have more than doubled this year as shares surged in June when Ascent announced the launch of a solar-powered charger for the iPhone.
