News Article
Ascent Solar awards students for design innovations using its CIGS modules
Innovations included a portable solar powered water purification system, a scalable system of solar panels with a unique, flexible attachment method and a solar integrated beach umbrella
Ascent Solar Technologies has announced the winners of its company sponsored "Innovative Design Competition".
A team of students from Boston University, who developed a portable solar powered water purification system, won first place as well as the Grand Prize of $10,000 and a visit to Ascent’s world headquarters and manufacturing facility in Colorado.
Second place was awarded to the team from University of California Berkeley, who developed a scalable system of solar panels with a unique, flexible attachment method.
Third place went to the team from Texas A&M University for their development of a solar integrated beach umbrella.
The competition, which began in August, 2011, included teams from Boston University, San Diego State University, Texas A&M University, University of California Berkeley and two teams from the University of Orego. The aim was to develop the most innovative applications for Ascent’s lightweight and flexible CIGS solar panels.
The teams each developed working prototypes of their designs, which were enabled using lightweight, flexible, glass-free solar modules provided by Ascent Solar. In addition, Ascent provided financial support to the teams allowing them to fully explore the full potential of portable power.
