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.
