Show notes
The Space Show Presents Paul Warley, CEO of Ascent Solar, Friday, 4-17-26Quick Summary:The Space Show featured Paul Worley, CEO of Ascent Solar, discussing their flexible thin-film solar technology. Paul explained that their CIGS (Copper Indium Gallium Sulfide) panels are lightweight, rollable, and designed to fit specific areas, offering 12.5-14% efficiency and costing $35-70 per watt compared to silicon’s $3-10 per watt. The panels have been tested in space and can withstand radiation better than silicon, with applications including satellites, drones, high-altitude platforms, and underwater systems. Paul noted their panels can be deployed and rolled up multiple times, with TRL9 certification from a previous space mission. The company is publicly traded on NASDAQ as ASTI and focuses primarily on DoD and commercial space markets, with plans to expand in MEO, GEO, and lunar applications in the coming years.Detailed Summary:Our program focused on technical discussions about space missions and power requirements. Paul explained different power levels for various orbital ranges, noting 450-600 watts per kilogram for MEO and GEO missions, and 150-250 watts per kilogram for lower orbits. The group discussed the format of an upcoming 60-minute space show, with participants introducing themselves and their backgrounds. Technical issues with audio echo were identified but not fully resolved before the end of the meeting.Paul explained the cost and efficiency differences between various solar panel technologies for space applications. He clarified that gallium arsenide panels cost $250-350 per watt, silicon panels cost $3-10 per watt, and their SIGS (Copper indium gallium sulfide) technology costs $35-70 per watt. Paul also described how their technology uses a different coating (XBR) for underwater applications, allowing panels to be submerged at 500 meters and recharge on the surface.Paul further discussed the development and specifications of their flexible solar panel technology, highlighting its advantages over traditional silicon wafers, including being 3-10 times lighter and providing roughly 4 times the power. The discussion covered the technology’s performance in high-pressure environments, manufacturing considerations, and potential applications in space, including lunar manufacturing and satellite deployment. Paul mentioned having a SpaceX founder on his advisory board and noted their current customers include a communications satellite company, with plans for manufacturing in space, as well as potential applications in drones, HAPS, and underwater systems.Paul discussed their company’s solar panel technology, explaining that if a panel is damaged by space debris, electricity can still flow around the damaged area. He confirmed they are in talks with multiple space companies, though he declined to name specific clients. When asked about operating temperatures, Paul clarified that their panels can operate between -100C to +100C in space conditions, though he couldn’t specify the exact temperature without cooling systems. The discussion ended with Paul highlighting their product’s key advantage of faster delivery times compared to traditional gallium arsenide panels, though he didn’t complete the specific timeline comparison.Paul discussed the efficiency of their flexible solar panels, explaining they measure between 12.5% and 14% efficiency in secondary cells. Marshall inquired about the durability of rolling up the panels, to which Paul confirmed they can be rolled up hundreds or thousands of times without damage, citing their TRL9 rating achieved through underwater testing. Paul also mentioned their product is patented and not restricted by ITAR, though they primarily market to Europe and India rather than China or other restricted regions.Paul talked about his company’s solar product, highlighting its durability and competitive advantage over Chinese alternatives in the consumer market. He explained that while the product was previously used in camping and military applications, current focus areas include DOD commercial applications, space, and potentially drones. Paul noted that while residential rooftop installation is financially viable, it’s not part of their current strategy due to reinforcement requirements for buildings. The discussion concluded with an unasked question about cell density per square meter from John Hunt, which was not answered in the provided transcript.Deployable solar panel technology, explaining that their panels can produce power at 60% angle while most silicon panels require 30-40% angle for power generation. He described different deployment mechanisms including roll-out systems and origami structures, noting that cost and mass of the support system are significant factors. Paul also mentioned that their technology is currently too expensive for widespread residential use, with installation costs being a major barrier, and that 40% of roofs would require reinforcement.We covered ongoing R&D efforts to improve product efficiency and reduce waste, including work with perovskite coatings and a collaboration with a company that has developed 400 patents around perovskite technology. The team conducted initial space testing with different FEP thickness coatings, though the sample size was too small for definitive conclusions. Paul mentioned that additional radiation and atomic oxygen testing would be conducted in the next 2-3 months, and he expected data from the Novi satellite launch on SpaceX’s rocket within 2-3 weeks, including information about deployment and space debris impact.The meeting also focused on discussing Paul’s space solar panel technology company, ASTI, which is publicly traded on NASDAQ. Paul explained that while the company receives about one legitimate space-related business inquiry per week through their website, they typically require NDAs to share technical details about their solar panels, which can withstand higher temperatures and radiation than traditional silicon panels. The discussion revealed that ASTI’s competitive advantage lies in the flexibility of their panels, allowing them to outperform silicon panels in certain curved or complex applications. Paul noted that while the company is well-funded and manufactured-ready, the next major power push in space is expected in the third and fourth quarters of next year.Special thanks to our sponsors:American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Helix Space in Luxembourg, Celestis Memorial Spaceflights, Astrox Corporation, Dr. Haym Benaroya of Rutgers University, The Space Settlement Progress Blog by John Jossy, The Atlantis Project, and Artless EntertainmentWe use Zoom phone numbers for program participation.For real time program participation, email Dr. Space at: [email protected] for instructions and access.The Space Show is a non-profit 501C3 through its parent, One Giant Leap Foundation, Inc. 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