Ascent Solar Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ:ASTI), a developer of state-of-the-art, flexible thin-film photovoltaic modules, has announced it has launched a charger for the Samsung® Galaxy S III® smart phone featuring Ascent's ultra light CIGS technology. Branded under Ascent's EnerPlex line of consumer products, the charger incorporates the company's solar cells into a sleek, protective Galaxy S III case, along with an ultra thin battery. The charger adds minimal weight and size to the Galaxy S III yet provides significantly improved battery life by harnessing sunlight for electric power.

Following the successful launch of the EnerPlex for iPhone® 4S case, Ascent is releasing the EnerPlex for the Galaxy S III as Samsung continues to introduce new products in a competitive market where the number of smart phones in use globally is expected to reach 1 billion in the next 4 years. 144 million smart phones were sold globally in the first quarter of 2012. Ascent is developing the EnerPlex line utilizing its transformational CIGS technology to bring solar enabled power to a variety of new consumer products such as the widely anticipated next generation iPhone.

Ascent Solar's President and CEO, Victor Lee, said, "The EnerPlex charger is the only protective case for the Samsung Galaxy S III which leverages the lightweight qualities and superior aesthetics of our CIGS solar technology. It will extend the usage time of the Galaxy S III while preserving the high level of design quality that consumers demand. Samsung customers can now incorporate transformational solar technology into their everyday life, improving the performance of their smartphone without compromising style."

Lee continued, "Ascent's solar powered case designs target the top two market share leaders, Apple®, Inc. and Samsung, who together, account for over 70% of the smart phone market. With the launch of this second product in the EnerPlex line, Ascent now has a solar charger for two of the most popular smart phones on the market, the Apple iPhone and the Samsung Galaxy S III."

The EnerPlex case for the Samsung Galaxy S III will debut in South Korea in October with an expected launch in the United States in time for the 2012 holiday shopping season.