So the folks at Ascent have now decided that it’s time to take the next step forward, dedicating its Thornton factory to the development of perovskite solar cell manufacturing.Īscent’s lightweight and flexible solar modules have been used in such applications as portable charging, unmanned aerial vehicles, and building-integrated photovoltaics, and it’s now going to convert its patent-pending perovskite solar technology to industrial scale. However, perovskite solar cells still have some stability, environmental, and scalability issues, but efforts to work out the kinks in recent years by such research groups as the National Renewable Energy Laboratory have delivered promising results. Perovskite solar cells use a thin film of perovskite to harvest light, and they have the potential to be a low-cost, power-conversion-efficient alternative to traditional silicon-based solar cells. But for all volunteers on a ramp build the day ended just as it had planned to go: a new ramp for a person in need, everyone going home safely at the end of the day and new skills that can be used in life.Thin-film solar panel maker Ascent Solar Technologies announced today that it’s going to repurpose its Thornton, Colorado, factory to accelerate industrial-scale commercialization of perovskite solar modules. Experienced volunteers will end the day knowing that they’ve not only helped a community member in need but also passed on valuable lessons while instilling confidence in carpentry in the new volunteers. Whether it is learning how to use a saw or drill for the first time or reading a tape measure correctly, it’s an invaluable skill and a confidence boost. Volunteers can look at the way they’ve helped a community member while also learning new, handy skills. For new volunteers, they can step back and look at what they were a part of. All that is left to do is sand and clean up.Ĥ:30 p.m. Now their day will end with a way to be a part of their community again. For a person who's in need of a wheelchair ramp, their day began as it has any day in the recent past, stuck in their home relying on friends and family for help to get out. What began as a large pile of lumber is now a fully functional and safe ramp. – Around this time of the day, any volunteer can step back and see the work they’ve done. This process is a little more technical but always enjoyable to see a volunteer who has grown in confidence, ability and skill over the day volunteer for this portion.ģ:30 p.m. – Adorning the handrails is the next step. But it’s a great time to teach a new volunteer how to use a drill or miter saw! Cutting deck board is a great way to practice for a new volunteer because every cut is going to be the same length, so there is lots of practice to be had.Ģ p.m. The longer the ramp is the longer this portion of the build is. Volunteers would work as an assembly line to finish the process. The process of installing the deck boards to a wooden ramp is slow and repetitive, but it’s when everyone comes together as a team. – Now that lunch has wrapped up and the frame of the ramp is put into place, it’s time to put the deck boards on. This lunch is likely donated by a local business, who was able to support the program and volunteers by providing a delicious lunch.ġ2:45 p.m. It’s a staff member from the United Way of Monroe/Lenawee Counties there to deliver lunch to the hard working volunteers. Noon – Just as volunteers begin to finalize the frame of the ramp, a car pulls up to the worksite.
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