Ascent Solar Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ:ASTI), a developer of state-of-the-art, flexible thin-film photovoltaic modules, announced today it has launched a charger for the Apple® (NASDAQ:AAPL) iPhone® * 4/4S smart phone featuring Ascent's ultra light CIGS technology. Branded under Ascent's new EnerPlexTM line of consumer products, the charger incorporates the company's solar cells into a sleek, protective iPhone 4/4S case, along with a thin battery. The charger adds minimal weight and size to an iPhone smart phone, yet provides significantly improved battery life by harnessing sunlight for electric power.
The first product in a forthcoming line of smart phone chargers from Ascent Solar, the EnerPlex product is designed specifically for the Apple iPhone. Ascent plans to introduce similar chargers for other smart phones, including the newly launched Samsung® Galaxy S® III*, in the near future.
Ascent Solar's President and CEO, Victor Lee, said "The EnerPlex charger is the first protective iPhone case to leverage the lightweight qualities and superior aesthetics of our CIGS solar technology. It will extend the usage time of iPhone smart phones while preserving the high level of design quality that consumers demand. Apple customers can now incorporate green technology into their everyday life, improving the performance of their smart phone without compromising style."
Lee continued, "The growth of the smart phone market has been tremendous and is expected to continue for several years to come. Apple has sold over 175 million iPhone smart phones. Samsung is introducing new products in a competitive market where the number of smart phones in use globally is expected to reach 1 billion in the next 4 years. 144 million smart phones were sold globally in the first quarter of this year alone. Ascent's EnerPlex line is focused on providing millions of smart phone customers with a product that prolongs battery life, increases mobility and allows them to be ‘green', all without adding significant size or weight to the phone."
Working with strategic partners, including China-based TFG Radiant Investment Group Ltd, the company plans to ship EnerPlex chargers to customers and partners in Asia within weeks. Ascent's partners have already begun receiving purchase orders for this product for shipments beginning in the third quarter. Global shipments will follow in the fourth calendar quarter of this year.
The EnerPlex charger will be available for review at Intersolar Europe 2012, the world's largest solar technology trade show, from June 13 - June 15. Ascent Solar's booth will be located in Hall A1, booth 556. EnerPlex product information can be found at: www.ascentsolar.com/enerplex.