Agreed. Deals like this aren’t just done in a day. The planning and execution, including the purchase of ASTI, are all part of a well thought out master plan.
LISA-T is a NASA program that would combine a Solar Sail, Photovoltaics and an Antenna into one material. Tube Solar isn't in the solar sail market nor the antenna market.
Tube Solar purchased a stake in ASTI so they would have another supplier of the thin film PV. Their own words.
I mentioned a month or so ago that a future market for ASTI with Tube Solar is in the agricultural and architectural markets. This announced partnership in Germany is further proof of that.
I also think ASTI can develop other deals in the architectural market beyond green roofs.
It's just a matter of time before Tube Solar announces a deal like this in North America with Ascent Solar being the supplier of the PV component.