Thornton, CO – Ascent Solar Technologies, Inc. (OTCBB:ASTI), a developer and manufacturer of state -of-the-art, flexible thin-film photovoltaic (PV) solutions is announcing the immediate availability of the Ascent XD™12 USB Solar Charger. The XD12 provides 12 Watts and 2.0 Amps of continuous, clean, and reliable power in a light, small, durable, and intuitive package.
Useful Power
In full sun, the XD12 will charge a typical smartphone or tablet as fast as plugging your device into the wall. Ascent Solar’s CIGS technology provides high specific power with an extremely high power to weight ratio. In many military applications, such as powering ATAK equipped tablets or smart phones, the XD12 is lighter than carrying a single BB-5590, with a lower logistics burden over time. The XD12 is ideally suited to use in concert with a power bank to provide backup power to tablets and smartphones. In addition, the XD12 is compatible with many portable chargers for batteries such as AA, AAA, RCR123s and 18650s.
Durability
Ascent Solar uses monolithically- integrated CIGS on polyimide technology. This makes the XD12 extremely durable. It will continue to function if stepped on, run over by vehicles, or exposed to severe weather and common chemicals such as JP8, DEET, and gun lubricants. In repeated testing, Ascent has proven that in an emergency the XD12 will continue to function and provide useful power for hours to days even after being shot, stabbed, and punctured.
Reliability
CIGS technology also performs better than many other solar technologies in reduced light conditions such overcast, rain, snow and sandstorms; as it harvests from larger portions of the electromagnetic spectrum. Critically, for defense and emergency services, shadow from foliage or camouflage nets causes an arithmetical reduction in the XD12’s power production rather than the logarithmic reduction seen in competing technology. For example, under a camouflage net with 30% shading, the XD12 will exhibit around 30% power degeneration rather than up to a 90% loss with other technologies.
Physical Characteristics
Physically the XD12 packs down to 8.85 x 11.25 x 0.75 inches (about the size of a pad of paper) and weighs 15.5 oz. It’s provided with reinforced grommets in the corners that enable it to be easily attached to tents, backpacks, or vehicles. The single USB port has an attached rubber plug to keep out sand and debris. The XD12 can be deployed and producing power in under 5 seconds by even for a complete novice.
Easy to Buy
The XD12 is available through a very limited number of dealers including Raven ConcealmentVictor Forward and the Telluric Group. Ascent Solar representatives will be at SHOT show and OR for meetings with interested government entities and dealers. Contact jfelushko@ascentsolar.com for more information.
