Ascent Solar Technologies Establishes Partnership with Darley Defense to Expand Thin-Film Solar Product Access Across Defense and Government Markets

THORNTON, Colo., Oct. 20, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Ascent Solar Technologies, Inc. (Nasdaq: ASTI) (“Ascent” or the “Company”), the leading U.S. innovator in the design and manufacturing of featherweight, flexible thin-film photovoltaic (PV) solutions, today announced a new partnership with Darley Defense, a leading global provider of defense, fire and emergency services equipment, to expand access to Ascent’s thin-film PV products throughout defense, federal, space and public sector markets.

The partnership will combine Ascent’s CIGS solar products with Darley Defense’s established procurement channels and robust reach across the defense and government sectors. This further enables market penetration and supports the Company’s ongoing mission to simplify how military and government customers evaluate, procure and deploy its advanced solar solutions to meet a broad range of power generation needs.

Ascent’s thin-film products are uniquely suited to thrive within expeditionary operations in punishing environments with limited access to power sources that often render conventional energy solutions inoperable. Thin-film PV’s lightweight, flexible design allows for extended field operations by alleviating dependence on batteries that regularly need time to recharge.

“This partnership with Darley Defense advances our commercial strategy of growing our presence in defense, space and other high-value industries in need of durable, reliable power solutions in strenuous conditions,” said Paul Warley, Chief Executive Officer of Ascent Solar Technologies. “As military operations become increasingly reliant on advanced electronics deployed in dangerous environments, the durability of our thin-film products will play a crucial role in providing the power generation needed to carry out mission objectives. Together, with Darley Defense’s established relationships within these markets, we plan to accelerate the adoption of our thin-film solar technology for applications in need of reduced logistical burdens and enhanced operational efficiency.”

The partnership opens opportunities for Ascent’s technology to be incorporated across a wide range of defense and government applications, such as dismounted military operations, tactical communications equipment, remote sensors, unmanned aerial sensors (UAS), mobile command-and-control infrastructure and other mission-critical systems that require reliable expeditionary power.

About Ascent Solar Technologies, Inc.

Backed by 40 years of R&D, 15 years of manufacturing experience, numerous awards, and a comprehensive IP and patent portfolio, Ascent Solar Technologies, Inc. is a leading provider of innovative, high-performance, flexible thin-film solar panels, optimized for use in space, military and defense, and other applications where mass, performance, reliability, and resilience are paramount.

Ascent’s photovoltaic (PV) modules have been deployed on space missions, multiple airborne vehicles, agrivoltaic installations, in industrial/commercial construction as well as an extensive range of consumer goods, revolutionizing the use cases and environments for solar power. Ascent Solar’s research and development center and 5-MW nameplate production facility is in Thornton, Colorado.

To learn more, visit https://www.ascentsolar.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

Statements in this press release that are not statements of historical or current fact constitute "forward-looking statements" including statements about the financing transaction, our business strategy, and the potential uses of the proceeds from the transaction. Such statements also include, but are not limited to, statements related to the intended use of proceeds from the offering and the potential exercise of the series warrants. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other unknown factors that could cause the company's actual operating results to be materially different from any historical results or from any future results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. We have based these forward-looking statements on our current assumptions, expectations, and projections about future events. In addition to statements that explicitly describe these risks and uncertainties, readers are urged to consider statements that contain terms such as "will," "believes," "belief," "expects," "expect," "intends," "intend," "anticipate," "anticipates," "plans," "plan," to be uncertain and forward-looking. No information in this press release should be construed as any indication whatsoever of our future revenues, stock price, or results of operations. The forward-looking statements contained herein are also subject generally to other risks and uncertainties that are described from time to time in the company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission including those discussed under the heading “Risk Factors” in our most recently filed reports on Forms 10-K and 10-Q.

Media Contact

Spencer Herrmann
FischTank PR
Ascent@FischTankPR.com