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  • Ascent Solar (ASTI) Shares Rally On NASA Collaboration Announcement

    Ascent Solar (ASTI) Shares Rally On NASA Collaboration Announcement

    In intraday trading, Ascent Solar Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ: ASTI) shares jumped 87.90% to $2.19, driven by the news of a major cooperative deal with NASA.

    Strategic Announcement

    With assistance from the NASA Glenn Research Center (GRC), Ascent Solar (ASTI) announced the start of work under a Collaborative Agreement Notice (CAN) with NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC). The goal of this collaboration is to use copper-indium-gallium-selenide (CIGS) photovoltaic (PV) modules to increase the capacity of receiving beamed electricity.

    Technology Development for Space Power Infrastructure

    The goal of the CAN effort is to expedite the development of commercial technology, particularly in the field of beamed power, to assist upcoming space missions. NASA will supply technical know-how and thorough testing, while Ascent Solar will offer design and prototype development.

    The partnership aims to reduce the cost, weight, and operational risk of conventional spacecraft power systems by delivering commercial-ready alternatives for distributed power in orbit during a 12-month timeframe.

    NASA Psyche Mission and Early Validation

    The viability of narrow-beam technology was confirmed by NASA’s 2023 Psyche Mission by successfully demonstrating deep space laser communications across a distance of 19 million miles. Building on that, NASA MSFC conducted bench tests in 2024 that verified Ascent’s commercial off-the-shelf PV products could effectively receive beamed power—setting the stage for this formal collaboration.

    Reducing Downmass for Planetary Missions

    Space exploration missions, particularly those targeting the Moon and beyond, are constrained by the heavy power generation systems required for surface mobility and operations.

    Ascent’s lightweight, thin-film solar technology could significantly reduce this “downmass,” with potential cost savings reaching millions of dollars per lander mission. The CAN’s technical goals include enhancing power output and ensuring durability through lunar nights and in permanently shadowed regions believed to contain water ice.

    Future Prospects for Lunar Facilities

    This public-private partnership is expected to support NASA in meeting its broader goals under the Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS), prospective planetary missions, and the Artemis lunar campaign. It also backs international efforts under the Artemis Accords to construct scalable, sustainable infrastructure on the Moon.

    Thus, Ascent Solar’s (ASTI) advancements in thin-film PV technology in providing effectiveness, endurance, and affordability in challenging environments may be extremely advantageous for future missions.

  • Ascent Solar Tech (ASTI) Rockets in Pre-market Surge in Apparent Pump and Dump

    Ascent Solar Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ: ASTI) had investors buzzing on Wednesday with a staggering 19% surge, but the excitement didn’t stop there. Pre-market, the stock soared an additional 37%, leaving many onlookers in awe. As dawn broke on Monday, the premarket price flirted with $0.17, signaling continued fervor among traders.

    The surge was accompanied by a trading volume spike, reaching a remarkable 41 million shares, nearly ten times its usual activity. Such a surge hints at the presence of hype driving the stock.

    A Potential Pump and Dump

    Curiously, there’s a lack of immediate news to justify this dramatic spike, leading to concerns among investors about a potential profit-taking downturn in the days ahead. However, for now, bullish sentiment prevails, propelling the stock onward.

    Ascent Solar Technologies, Inc. specializes in solar technology and power solutions tailored for remote and harsh environments. Its applications span aerospace, defense, transportation, and consumer electronics, integrating photovoltaic modules into diverse products.

    Social media platforms are rife with speculation about a coordinated pump-and-dump scheme originating in the premarket hours. Additionally, efforts seem underway to squeeze out short sellers, with over 5% of shares currently shorted.

    Recent Developments

    Recent developments indicate promising growth prospects for the company. A noteworthy collaboration with the University of Stuttgart Institute for Building Energetics, Thermotechnology, and Energy Storage (IGTE) signals strides in innovation. The partnership aims to develop prototype solar arrays utilizing Ascent’s ultralight, durable, and flexible thin-film technology.

    Though project specifics remain undisclosed, Ascent is expected to deliver its technology this summer, aligning with IGTE’s timeline for power collection and storage system development.

    Paul Warley, CEO of Ascent Solar Technologies, lauds the collaboration, emphasizing its potential to drive sustainable power technology forward. IGTE’s mission dovetails with this vision, focusing on research and teaching for energy-efficient, sustainable living and working environments.

    Looking Ahead

    IGTE boasts a cadre of top-tier scientists dedicated to developing innovative energy solutions for global adoption. Its emphasis on renewable energies aligns seamlessly with Ascent’s mission, promising a fruitful partnership aimed at transforming energy systems worldwide.

    As the market eagerly awaits further developments, Ascent Solar Technologies remains poised for continued growth and innovation in the renewable energy sector.

  • Ascent Solar (ASTI) Rally Continued In Pre-Market Trading

    The shares of Ascent Solar Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ: ASTI) experienced a notable surge during the pre-market trading session on Tuesday, marking an impressive 55.71% increase, ultimately settling at $1.54 per share. During the regular trading session, Ascent Solar stock exhibited a modest uptick of 1.96%, concluding the day at $0.9890. This remarkable rise in ASTI stock can be attributed to a significant development related to a federal funding initiative.

    Ascent Solar (ASTI) officially disclosed yesterday that the preliminary concept paper they submitted underwent a thorough review process, receiving a favorable “Encouraged” verdict from the Department of Energy (DOE). The concept paper pertained to DE-FOA-0003057: Bipartisan Infrastructure Law – Silicon Solar Manufacturing and Dual-use Photovoltaics Incubator.

    With this pivotal development, Ascent Solar is now poised to proceed with the application process, aiming to secure funding through this Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA). Their primary objective is to advance the development of the proposed agrivoltaic system, which holds the promise of bringing about reliable and enduring on-site solar power generation, tailored for behind-the-meter usage, directly benefiting American farmers.

    The Biden-Harris Administration has consistently demonstrated a resolute commitment to fostering the adoption of agrivoltaics. In the summer of 2023, the administration, through the DOE, unveiled the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Silicon Solar Manufacturing and Dual-use Photovoltaics Incubator funding opportunity, with an earmarked allocation of $45 million.

    This initiative seeks to support projects that not only drive down solar-related costs but also spearhead the development of cutting-edge solar technologies while bolstering the American solar manufacturing sector. Ascent Solar firmly believes that its thin-film solar technology seamlessly aligns with the DOE’s vision, particularly considering the DOE’s emphasis on pioneering technologies that facilitate agrivoltaic adoption while concurrently reducing manufacturing and installation expenses.

    Agrivoltaics, the strategic integration of solar panel installations within rows of crops across the expansive farmlands of America, has garnered significant attention for its judicious land usage and substantial potential for energy generation. Despite being a nascent application of solar technology, this category is marked by its high-growth potential.

    Industry experts anticipate an annual growth rate exceeding 10% within a market that is projected to surpass several billion dollars in the coming years. The distinctiveness of thin-film solar technology lies in its remarkable suitability for integration into agrivoltaic systems.

    Ascent Solar is dedicated to exploring the full potential of this technology, seizing the opportunity to submit a comprehensive application for a DOE-funded project. This submission will serve as a tangible demonstration of the technology’s capabilities after years of dedicated research, with the aim of enhancing solar energy production on farms and promoting water conservation.

  • Why Did Ascent (ASTI) Stock Drop 18%?

    At the close of the last trading, the share price of developer and manufacturer of state-of-the-art, lightweight, and flexible thin-film photovoltaic (PV) solutions Ascent Solar Technologies Inc (OTCPink: ASTI) plummeted by -17.92% to $0.0142. Ascent stock has performed -30.39% over the last week, compared with -42.28% over the past month. Considering that ASTI has been declining since the start of the month in the absence of news, recent events can be used to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the company.

    How has ASTI been?

    Ascent develops thin-film photovoltaic modules, a type of solar panel that is more rugged and versatile than conventional ones. According to R&D Magazine, ASTI’s Solar modules were among the top 100 innovations in 2010 and 2015. According to TIME Magazine, they were one of the top 50 inventions of 2011. ASTI’s flexible power technology can also be integrated into consumer products and off-grid energy applications, as well as into aerospace applications.

    Ascent recently announced its financial results for the quarter ended March 31, 2021.

    Financial Highlights:

    • Q1 2021 net revenue for ASTI was $165K, up sharply from $4K in the same quarter of 2020.
    • Because of financial constraints and COVID-19, ASTI maintained a largely dormant status for the first nine months of 2020.
    • Despite In spite of the loss from operations, ASTI reported a profit of $1.9 million for the quarter.
    • Net income for ASTI included a substantial gain of approximately $3.6M for extinguishment of the derivative liability associated with outstanding convertible notes resulted in a gain of approximately $3.6M for ASTI, less an interest expense of $562K.
    • ASTI’s cash and cash equivalents have also increased dramatically from a $168K balance in the first quarter of 2020 to $3.7M for the quarter ended March 31, 2021.
    • From March 31, 2020, to March 31, 2021, ASTI’s networking capital turned positive $1.1M from negative $8.4M.
    • As a result, ASTI’s total liabilities have been reduced by $11.2M, going from $27.6M in the first quarter of 2020 to $16.3M at the end of this quarter.

    Other major development:

    Ascent (ASTI) recently announced it has completed delivery of large a contract to supply thin-film modules to high-altitude airships. In addition to further reducing packaging and PV module mass, the HyperLight family of modules has a best-in-class power-to-weight ratio (Specific Power) of over 350 W/kg for a fully laminated product on an airship with integrated customer operations.

    The customer placed this shipment with ASTI as the third and largest order since March 2018. ASTI worked with that customer to minimize the PV module mass and to include in-laminate circuit protection in order to streamline both the integration process and the mass reduction of the module.