Ascent Solar Bags DARPA Contract for Portable Photovoltaics (PoP) Program

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has given a contract to thin-film solar modules developer Ascent Solar Technologies, Inc. for the Low-Cost Lightweight Portable Photovoltaics (PoP) program. This program led by Ascent Solar Technologies titled “Flexible High Performance Tandem-junction PV Array” comprises three gated phases.

The first phase runs for 18 months and has around $3.8 million in contract value. The program, in its entirety, is expected to run for the coming 54 months. The goal of the program is to demonstrate lightweight, low-cost photovoltaics that can withstand rugged environmental conditions, while providing around 20% power conversion efficiency.

Ascent Solar Technologies leads a team of large business (QinetiQ North America-TSG), academia (Institute of Energy Conversion) and small businesses (Brewer Science, Cambrios Technologies Company and ITN Energy Systems) partners to benefit from their expertise in order to meet the goals of the program.