Ascent Solar Technologies, a flexible thin-film solar module developer, has signed a multi-phase agreement with an Indian company, Kirloskar Integrated Technologies Limited. As per the terms of the agreement, both the companies will start the integration of flexible CIGS photovoltaic modules from Ascent Solar into products that are designed for various markets in India.
The products, which will be distributed and marketed by the companies, will cater to different markets including consumer portable power, defense, hybrid solar, power systems backed by diesel generators, and off-grid rural power solutions. A complete module assembly plant is to be established in India under phase two of the multi-phase agreement. The final phase of the agreement envisages the establishment of a manufacturing facility in the country to produce solar modules in India. A memorandum of understanding signed by the companies in 2009 September has resulted in this multi-phase agreement.
CEO of Kirloskar, Mr. L.A. Joshi, said the vision of the company is to supply sustainable solutions that is decentralized and based on renewable energy resources. The company was on the lookout for an ideal partner for solar photovoltaic to enhance its strength as a leading distributed power generation provider. It has already established successfully in other renewable energy solutions such as biodiesel, non-edible vegetable oil, and anaerobic digestion of organic waste. Kirloskar is pleased to partner with Ascent in its efforts to harness the huge solar potential in the country for on-grid as well as off-grid applications by making use of the Indian government’s favorable policies, Joshi said.