Ascent Solar Flexes Its CIGS Power In Apple IPhone Charger
Ascent
Solar, a developer of flexible thin-film photovoltaic modules, has launched a
charger for the Apple iPhone 4/4S smartphone.
Branded
under Ascent's new "EnerPlex" line of consumer products, the charger
incorporates the company's ultra light CIGS solar cells in a sleek, protective
iPhone 4/4S case, along with a thin battery. Ascent says the charger adds
minimal weight and size to an iPhone smartphone, yet provides significantly
improved battery life by harnessing sunlight for electric power.
This
is the first product in a forthcoming line of smartphone chargers from Ascent.
The company also plans to introduce similar chargers for other smartphones,
including the newly launched Samsung Galaxy S III, in the near future.
Ascent
Solar's President and CEO, Victor Lee, comments, "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 smartphones 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
continues, "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 smartphones. Samsung is introducing new products in a competitive
market where the number of smartphones in use globally is expected to reach 1
billion in the next 4 years. 144 million smartphones were sold globally in the
first quarter of this year alone. Ascent's EnerPlex line is focused on
providing millions of smartphone 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.
