6 June 2012

Ascent launches solar-powered charger for smart phones, starting with Apple iPhone

Ascent Solar Technologies Inc of Thornton, CO, USA, which manufactures thin-film photovoltaic modules based on copper indium gallium diselenide (CIGS) using flexible substrate materials, has launched a charger for the Apple iPhone 4/4S smart phone featuring Ascent's ultra-lightweight CIGS technology.

Picture: Ascent’s Enerplex solar charger for the iPhone.

Branded under Ascent’s new EnerPlex line of consumer products, the charger incorporates its solar cells into a sleek, protective iPhone 4/4S case, along with a thin battery. The charger provides significantly improved battery life but adds minimal weight and size to an iPhone smart phone, claims the firm.

The first product in a forthcoming line of smart phone chargers from Ascent, EnerPlex is designed specifically for the Apple iPhone. The firm plans to also introduce similar chargers for other smart phones, including the newly launched Samsung Galaxy SIII, in the near future.

“The EnerPlex charger is the first protective iPhone case to leverage the lightweight qualities and superior aesthetics of our CIGS solar technology,” says president & CEO Victor Lee. “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,” he adds.

“The growth of the smart-phone market has been tremendous and is expected to continue for several years to come,” continues Lee. “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,” he concludes.

Working with strategic partners, including China-based TFG Radiant Investment Group Ltd, Ascent plans to ship EnerPlex chargers to customers and partners in Asia within weeks. The firm’s partners have already begun receiving purchase orders for the product for shipments beginning in third-quarter 2012. Global shipments will follow in fourth-quarter 2012.

The EnerPlex charger will be available for review in Hall A1, booth 556 at the Intersolar Europe 2012 trade show in Munich, Germany (13-15 June).

Tags: Ascent Solar CIGS

Visit: www.ascentsolar.com/enerplex