Traders Cooperative

[huh]

I like that Norsk Hydro is backing them with equity investment and the formation of a division dedicated to the product. It's no guarantee of course and I'm still not sure if CIGS or silicon or both will be the way for solar going forward, but the strength of the stock performance is comforting as well as the steadily increasing premium on the 2011 warrants. Still have to look at it as a pretty risky bet and I own much less now than I did when it was at $8

LITTLETON, Colo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Ascent Solar Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ:ASTI) and Hydro Building Systems, a division of Norsk Hydro (NYSE: NHY), today announced plans for the development of a new Brise Soleil product line incorporating thin film flexible solar modules manufactured by Ascent Solar. A variety of designs and prototypes for the new product line are planned to be introduced to the market in November 2007 at the BATIMAT international building exposition in Paris, France.

Hydro Building Systems Development Director Werner Jager stated “Due to the successful pre-project between Hydro Building Systems (HBS) and Ascent Solar, HBS has decided to proceed further in the integration and installation of the PV modules provided by Ascent Solar. To accelerate this process HBS has dedicated a new division to focus on the smart integration of the Ascent Solar solutions into their product portfolio (e.g. windows, doors, sliders, curtain walls, roof lights). The dedicated focus of the HBS solar solutions is underlined by their intention to start selling solar products beginning in 2008. The initial results of this work will be displayed in September 2007 during the HYDRO Summit to all internal shareholders.”

The company sounds optimistic at least :)

http://media.cleantech.com/1338/ascent-solar-agm-buoys-shares

"Being able to integrate into building materials is key. It makes solar so much cheaper to install. The high costs of labor are one of the key factors why solar isn't yet affordable for the mass market," said Ascent spokesperson Kelly Brandner to Cleantech.com.

"Companies [like Hydro] who make roofing and siding will be able to integrate this right into the product. Installers won't have to link individual modules like they do today. It's a breakthrough in making solar more widely used and accessible," she said.

"It's the next wave beyond what the First Solars of the world are doing today. And we're only months away from making it available."