Ascent Solar Technologies Inc. (ASTI)

Stock Symbol: $ASTI
 

       THORNTON, CO, Nov. 19, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- via NEWMEDIAWIRE – Ascent Solar Technologies, Inc. (OTCBB: ASTI), a developer and manufacturer of state-of-the-art, lightweight and flexible thin-film photovoltaic (PV) solutions, announces that the company’s ultra-lightweight thin-film PV has been selected by NASA Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) to participate in the MISSE-X (Materials International Space Station Experiment) flight experiment launched on 17 November 2018 aboard the NG CRS-10 mission.  Details of the MISSE-X mission can be found at https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/2984.html.

NASA is evaluating ASTI’s flexible, ultra-lightweight, monolithically integrated photovoltaics (PV) based on the copper-indium-gallium-selenium (CIGS) chemistry for various missions, including CubeSats and future missions to the moon and Mars. Actual in-flight experience is invaluable for evaluating new technologies and NASA’s selection of ASTI’s PV is a critical path for entering the challenging space market. The MISSE-X, represents the 10th of a series of experiments that are deployed onto the International Space Station (ISS) for extended period of time to evaluate new materials, coating, and other components in actual flight conditions, and are then retrieved and returned to earth for evaluation. Since 2001, the MISSE project has tested 4,000 material samples and specimens - from lubricants and paints to fabrics, container seals and solar cell technologies - to demonstrate their durability in the punishing space environment. MISSE-X was launched on the morning of 17 November 2018 at 4:01am EST from the NASA Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia with subsequent docking at ISS anticipated on 19 November 2018.  Video of the NG CRS-10 launch can be found at: https://youtu.be/B1dgCA0AWok.

“Our flight on MISSE-X represents a significant milestone towards the acceptance of our flexible, lightweight, monolithically integrated CIGS in the challenging and very discriminating space market,” stated Dr. Joseph Armstrong, Chief Technology Officer and founding team member of Ascent Solar. “Actual flight experience is crucial for these markets, and MISSE X allows us to demonstrate our monolithically-integrated flexible CIGS for the first time. We anticipate that the experiment will be attached onto the space station for a year or more and will be returned to earth for further evaluation. NASA MSFC has been working with us for several years on the development of our product for this challenging market, and the micro-modules developed for MISSE-X are a compact version of our normal space products that were designed to fit within the MISSE-X form factor.”

The new micro-module, in the size of 0.5 inch x 2 inch, has six (6) solar cells monolithically integrated in series but has all of the standard features of ASTI’s other larger modules. As such, it is ideal for evaluating the ASTI product in flight experiments that typically are space-limited. At this size, NASA is able to include several ASTI samples to be exposed to the same space conditions with different protective space coatings.

“We are extremely thrilled to be working with NASA Marshall Space Flight Center in transforming our lightweight CIGS PV into space-grade product,” said Victor Lee, President and CEO of Ascent Solar. “Developing a PV module capable of integrating into a deployable array for CubeSats and future exploration missions puts us in a very unique position in the industry to answer the needs of these future markets. This is a significant milestone for the company in our pursuit of the specialty, high-value PV market.”

ABOUT ASCENT SOLAR TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

Ascent Solar Technologies, Inc., an ISO 9001-2015 certified company, is a developer of thin-film photovoltaic modules using flexible substrate materials that are more versatile and rugged than traditional solar panels.  Ascent Solar modules were named as one of the top 100 technologies in both 2010 and 2015 by R&D Magazine, and one of TIME Magazine's 50 best inventions for 2011. The technology described above represents the cutting edge of flexible power and can be directly integrated into consumer products and off-grid applications, as well as other aerospace applications. Ascent Solar is headquartered in Thornton, Colorado, where the company’s quality management system has achieved ISO 9001:2015 certification. More information can be found at www.AscentSolar.com.

Forward Looking Statements

Statements in this press release that are not statements of historical or current fact constitute "forward-looking statements." Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other unknown factors that could cause the Company's actual operating results to be materially different from any historical results or from any future results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. In addition to statements that explicitly describe these risks and uncertainties, readers are urged to consider statements that contain terms such as "believes," "belief," "expects," "expect," "intends," "intend," "anticipate," "anticipates," "plans," "plan," to be uncertain and forward-looking. The forward-looking statements contained herein are also subject generally to other risks and uncertainties that are described from time to time in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

    Ascent Solar Technologies  Investor Relations  victor.lee@ascentsolar.com 

Source: Ascent     

Ascent Solar Announces Positive Third Quarter 2018 Results 

11/20/18, 6:00 AM 
THORNTON, CO, Nov. 20, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- via NEWMEDIAWIRE -- Ascent Solar Technologies, Inc. (OTCBB: ASTI), a developer and manufacturer of state-of-the-art, lightweight, and flexible thin-film photovoltaic (PV) solutions, reported results for the quarter ended September 30, 2018. 

Q3-2018 Financial Results: 

Net revenues were approximately $32K for the three months ended September 30, 2018, compared to $242K for the three months ended September 30, 2017, a decrease of $210K. The decrease is due to decreased sales of our private sector PV products of approximately $233K compared to the same period last year, slightly offset by sales of $23K of PV products under a government contract for the three months ended September 30, 2018. We expect to continue to experience huge volatility in net revenues booked, given the nature of our project based business model and revenue recognition policy, which recognizes revenue upon shipment of products. This brings our year-to-date nine months revenue to $512K, as compared to $548K in the same period in 2017. 

On the other hand, cost of revenues for the three months ended September 30, 2018 was negligible, compared to $535K for the three months ended September 30, 2017, representing a significant cost reduction. The decrease is primarily attributed to a decrease in materials and labor costs as a result of a decrease in production level as compared to the third quarter in the prior year. Production activities were minimal during the third quarter of 2018, as part of our cost management initiatives. Management believes our factory is currently significantly under-utilized, and a substantial increase in revenue would result in marginal increases to overhead. 

Despite revenue decline, loss from operations reported sharp improvement of approximately 64%, down from ($3.3M) in the third quarter of 2017 to ($1.2M) in this period; the year-to-date operating loss represents an improvement of $6.6M, or 57%, compared to 2017. This improvement was primarily the result of reduced manufacturing activities, progressive cost-reduction initiatives in manufacturing and R&D operations, and lower depreciation and amortization. Going forward, operating expenses are expected to remain manageable at the current level, and should show continued improvement as the Company progresses in the restructure and streamlining of its operations. 

Despite the loss from operation albeit narrowing gap, this is the first time in the corporate history that the Company actually reported quarterly net income of $383K based on US GAAP, for the quarter ended September 30, 2018 as compared to net loss of ($2.36M) in the same period last year. The net income was mainly the result of ongoing cost reduction initiatives, and non-cash items comprised of approximately $1.7M in non-cash interest expense, and a substantial positive swing of approximately $3.3M gain in change of fair value of derivatives liabilities associated with convertible notes. 

Management Comments: 

“We will continue to streamline our business model to better focus on our core strength in the specialty PV markets with high entry barriers like the space and near-space, aviation (drones), military, 1st Responders and emergency power markets,” commented Victor Lee, President and CEO of Ascent Solar Technologies, Inc. “The Company has made significant progress in penetration of these high-value markets, and we will continue to sharpen our focus in such areas where Ascent is truly at the forefront of the competition. The most recent press release on November 19, 2018 with regards to our involvement with the NASA MISSE-X project is a strong testament to our progress in the highly demanding space and near-space market.” 

ABOUT ASCENT SOLAR TECHNOLOGIES, INC: 

Ascent Solar Technologies, Inc., an ISO 9001-2015 certified company, is a developer of thin-film photovoltaic modules using flexible substrate materials that are more versatile and rugged than traditional solar panels. Ascent Solar modules were named as one of the top 100 technologies in both 2010 and 2015 by R&D Magazine, and one of TIME Magazine's 50 best inventions for 2011. The technology described above represents the cutting edge of flexible power and can be directly integrated into consumer products and off-grid applications, as well as other aerospace applications. Ascent Solar is headquartered in Thornton, Colorado, where the company’s quality management system has achieved ISO 9001:2015 certification. More information can be found at www.AscentSolar.com. 

Forward-Looking Statements: 

Statements in this press release that are not statements of historical or current fact constitute "forward-looking statements." Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other unknown factors that could cause the Company's actual operating results to be materially different from any historical results or from any future results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. In addition to statements that explicitly describe these risks and uncertainties, readers are urged to consider statements that contain terms such as "believes," "belief," "expects," "expect," "intends," "intend," "anticipate," "anticipates," "plans," "plan," to be uncertain and forward-looking. The forward-looking statements contained herein are also subject generally to other risks and uncertainties that are described from time to time in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. 

Victor Lee 
1-720-872-5233 
victor.lee@ascentsolar.com 
AS Logo.png 

Source: Ascent Solar Technologies, Inc.< 

After two decades of research and development, Ascent Solar was formed in 2005, to commercialize leading-edge CIGS photovoltaic technology on flexible, plastic substrate.

Ascent’s unique monolithic integration process enables the highest level of efficiency, durability & weight savings representing the potential to transform the way solar power can be used in everyday life. Ascent Solar’s Research and Development  and its 30 MW nameplate production facility is in Thornton, Colorado.

By pioneering a technology that is recognized as the future of the solar industry, Ascent has cemented itself as the leader in the manufacturing of innovative, high performance, flexible thin-film solar panels for both existing and emerging defense, consumer electronic, off-grid, transportation and building applications.

Ascent’s results-oriented team is focused on continued technical innovation while effectively developing current market opportunities and enabling customers to create transformational applications using solar power.

12300 N. Grant St
Thornton, CO 80241 USA
Phone 1.720.872.5000
Fax 1.720.872.5077
company.info@ascentsolar.com

 

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