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Ascent Solar Reports FY2014 Results and Provides Revenue Guidance for FY2015 Projecting $10-$12 Million, Over 100% Growth

March 18, 2015 9:18 AM EDT

THORNTON, Colo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Ascent Solar Technologies, Inc. (Nasdaq: ASTI), a developer of state-of-the-art, flexible thin-film photovoltaic modules, integrated into the Company's EnerPlex™ series of consumer products, reported results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2014.

Q4 2014 Highlights

  • Ascent Solar completed $35M preferred stock and convertible debt financing with an institutional investor. Funding of first $4.5M tranche completed in November 2014, second $2.5M tranche delivered in December 2014.
  • Ascent Solar officially granted Business License and Certificate of Approval for Establishment of Enterprises with Foreign Investment in the People’s Republic of China in September 2014, a key milestone in the activation of the company’s China Joint Venture. Initial funding of approximately $1.3M ($1M from the Suqian Economic Development Co., Ltd) was injected into the Suqian JV in December 2014.
  • EnerPlex products launched in 300 Premium Verizon Wireless stores in December 2014 via the company’s retail partner The Cellular Connection (TCC).
  • EnerPlex products launched in 25 Micro Center’s nationwide retail stores in November 2014.
  • Ascent Solar’s EnerPlex brand launched on BestBuy.com in December 2014.
  • Distribution agreement signed with national distributor Navarre, a division of WYNIT Distribution, in November 2014.
  • Ascent’s largest shareholder, TFG Radiant Investment Group completed second tranche of common stock at $2.80 per share, bringing total investments from both Tranche 1 and 2 to $6M.
  • United Kingdom based Peak Development signed as a distributor of EnerPlex products.
  • Ascent’s EnerPlex brand announced Hitfar Concepts as the Company’s preferred distributor in Canada.
  • Mexico based TodoSolar signed as new distributor of EnerPlex products.
  • Ascent Solar’s flexible PV modules selected by Vanguard Space Technologies to develop solar arrays for space and UAV missions.

Q4 2014 Financial Results

Total revenue for the fourth quarter of 2014 was $2.4M, up 107% from the previous quarter. Specifically, EnerPlex™ branded consumer product revenue was $2.3M in the fourth quarter, up from $1M in the prior quarter, a 124% increase.

Full Year 2014 Financial Results and Management Discussions

Total revenue for the year was $5.3M, up from $1.3M in 2013 or 308% year-over-year growth. Product revenue increased from $1.1M to $5M, a 349% increase. Loss from Operations increased from $28.2M in 2014 to $33.9M in 2014, due to increase in a combination of advertising, marketing and promotional expenses. These expenses are expected to be reduced or remain flat while we continue to ramp up on revenue growth. The company also incurred significant legal and financing expenses related to the financing activities in 2014, which are expected to decrease substantially in 2015.

2015 Revenue Guidance

The consumer electronics business does present a high degree of seasonality. While it is difficult to project sales on a quarterly basis, the Company expects to generate between $10M - $12M full year revenue in 2015 on the back of strong EnerPlex momentum as well as increased contributions from PV sales.

Management Commentary

"I am excited about the potential of the Company after delivering our first ever $5M revenue mark in the history of Ascent Solar," said Victor Lee, President and CEO of Ascent. “With the ongoing expansion of our distribution channels, I am optimistic to set yet another significant revenue milestone of over $10M. The reconstruction of Ascent Solar in the past 3 years is beginning to yield results, and we are fully prepared to execute our business plan.”

Dr. Amit Kumar, Chairman of Ascent Solar, stated, “As evident by the list of accomplishments noted above, Ascent is continuing to build its business in high margin markets, by partnering with numerous organizations to expand the reach of our products. These partnerships will not only enable greater customer reach, but will also help strengthen the EnerPlex brand, reduce costs, and facilitate the launch of many new products. I expect 2015 will truly be an exciting and productive year for Ascent.”

An updated investor presentation can be found on the company’s website at 9:30AM Eastern time March 18th here: http://www.ascentsolar.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Investor-Presentation_3-18-15.pdf

About Ascent Solar Technologies: Ascent Solar Technologies, Inc. is a developer of thin-film photovoltaic modules with substrate materials that are more flexible, versatile and rugged than traditional solar panels. Ascent Solar modules can be directly integrated into consumer products and off-grid applications, as well as aerospace and building integrated applications. Ascent Solar is headquartered in Thornton, Colorado. For more information, go to www.ascentsolar.com.

About EnerPlex™: EnerPlex is a registered trademark in the USA, European Community, Australia, Japan and Hong Kong. The EnerPlex brand represents Ascent's line of consumer products. These products, many of which are integrated with Ascent's proprietary CIGS technology, provide consumers with the ability to integrate solar into their everyday lives, while enabling them to free themselves and their electronics from the outlet. For more information on the EnerPlex brand and to see the product line, please visit www.goenerplex.com.

Forward-Looking Statements: Statements in this press release that are not statements of historical or current fact constitute "forward-looking statements." 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. In addition to statements that explicitly describe these risks and uncertainties, readers are urged to consider statements that contain terms such as "believes," "belief," "expects," "expect," "intends," "intend," "anticipate," "anticipates," "plans," "plan," to be uncertain and forward-looking. 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.

Investor Relations Contact:
CleanTech IR
Brion D. Tanous, 310-541-6824
Mobile: 424-634-8592
[email protected]
or
Ascent Solar Technologies
Justin R. Jacobs, 1-720-872-5194
[email protected]

Source: Ascent Solar Technologies, Inc.



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