Ascent Solar modules installed at ProLogis Rooftop Photovoltaic Test Site in Denver

THORNTON, USA: Ascent Solar Technologies Inc., a developer of flexible thin-film solar modules, announced that its BIPV class of laminates have been installed at the ProLogis (NYSE:PLD) Rooftop Photovoltaic Test Site located in Denver, Colorado.

ProLogis is a leading global provider of distribution facilities and has become the first real estate company to develop a dedicated PV test site.

“We were the first real estate company to develop a program dedicated to accelerating the deployment of large-scale distributed solar, and now we are expanding our efforts in this area with a dedicated test site,” said Walt Rakowich, CEO of ProLogis.

“As PV technologies evolve and new companies enter the market, it is critical that ProLogis understands the technology and installation differences to ensure we arrive at the optimal solutions for our installations at each building and location. We are proud of the growth of this program and what it means to the renewable energy industry.”

“This effort by ProLogis is a shining example of what homegrown companies are doing to promote environmental awareness and clean energy,” said Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper. “We are pleased the company chose its Denver headquarters as a test site and partnered with other local companies on the project. ProLogis is setting the stage for even greater access to renewable energy in Colorado and throughout the world.”

Farhad Moghadam, President and CEO of Ascent Solar, stated: “We commend ProLogis for establishing this test site to open the door for testing of emerging technologies such as ours in parallel with other established PV technologies. This important installation for Ascent Solar will provide us with valuable, real time performance data that’s critical in setting the stage for our product readiness in rooftop and building integrated market opportunities.”

The Test Site totals 11 kWp DC of power generation capacity from 99 modules and eight different module manufacturers: Ascent Solar, First Solar, GS-Solar, MiaSole, Suniva, Solyndra, United Solar Ovonic and Xunlight.

Already generating power, the initial configuration provides side-by-side comparisons of several module technologies, including monocrystalline, glass-on-glass thin film and membrane-applied thin film modules. In addition, the installation contains 16 individually monitored strings, each designed to test a certain system parameter.

As a part of the Test Site, and in partnership with HatiCon Solar, ProLogis has designed a new racking system especially for utility-scale rooftop solar installations.

Matt Singleton, VP of renewable energy at ProLogis, added: “As a real estate developer and owner, we seek the most compatible solution for our rooftop installations, both in terms of structural loads and roof integrity. This new attached rack design combines standardized, lightweight aluminum parts with the long-term assurance of a maintainable and warrantable watertight connection to our buildings.”

To design and build its Test Site, ProLogis relied on the products and services provided by several Colorado-based companies, including: Ascent Solar, Colorado Moisture Control, Inc., Howard Electric, Inc., S.A. Miro, Inc. and SMA America, LLC.

ProLogis has solar projects installed or under construction on 32 buildings throughout France, Germany, Japan, Spain and the United States. The installations cover more than 10.6 million square feet (984,800 square meters) of roof space and total 24.6 MW.

The ProLogis Renewable Energy group was formed in 2009 to procure new business, manage installations and provide development services for renewable energy projects globally. ProLogis has more than 450 million square feet (42 million square meters) of roof space worldwide available for solar photovoltaic installations.