Ascent Solar’s Flexible CIGS Solar Panels One of TIME’s 50 Best Inventions of 2011

Ascent Solar Technologies develops innovative, lightweight, flexible, thin-film solar photovoltaic modules (that’s a mouthful, I know — read it again). Ascent’s flexible CIGS solar panels are so innovative they were named one of TIME’s are designed to integrate with limitless applications, transforming unused surface area into a source of clean, renewable energy.50 Best Inventions of 2011, one of only six “green” inventions to make the list this year. The list is featured in the November 28, 2011 issue of TIME (which, somehow, is already online… oh, old media, how you amuse me).

“For each of the past 10 years, TIME has recognized the top 50 breakthroughs in science, technology and the arts,” Ascent notes. “Previous honorees have included the iPad, Nissan Leaf, 3-D cameras, and the world’s first synthetic cells.” Not a bad list of technologies to be associated with.

“TIME refers to Ascent’s solar panels as ‘ingenious’ for their ability to be directly integrated with building materials without the limitations of standard, glass solar panels.”

Ascent Solar’s Solar Panels in Use on Tents

Here on CleanTechnica, Tina wrote, nearly one year ago, how Ascent’s solar panels are being used for portable disaster relief on tents — innovative, useful application, especially in disaster-hit areas. The panels’ flexibility and light weight certainly do allow for more applications than most of us would normally consider are possible with solar, and allow for renewable energy expansion in formerly inaccessible areas and tremendously under-utilized areas.

As the company states, they are “designed to integrate with limitless applications, transforming unused surface area into a source of clean, renewable energy.” Who doesn’t love that? (Other than, perhaps, some solar panel competitors.)

Image via Ascent Solar