Ascent Solar Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ:ASTI), a developer and manufacturer of state-of-the-art, flexible thin-film photovoltaic modules integrated into the company's EnerPlex™ series of consumer products, announced today the nationwide launch of its products in over 300 Premium Verizon Wireless stores through the company’s retail partner, The Cellular Connection (TCC).

Since 1991 TCC has provided a premium and upscale shopping experience for Verizon customers, with stores spanning the entire United States.

Richard Hashim, General Manager of EnerPlex, said, "Today’s consumers who actively use their smartphones and tablets are well aware of the difficulty encountered by the device’s limited battery life. EnerPlex products are well suited to relieve those issues, and partnering with TCC allows consumers to purchase EnerPlex solutions at the same time that they buy their phones.”

“EnerPlex provides a truly unique set of products for consumers; ones which we believe fill a very specific need which currently is not met by other products in the market. EnerPlex drastically improves our customers' ability to use their phones all day without needing to be worried about plugging into an outlet,” said TJ Dailey, TCC’s National Brand Director.

EnerPlex has quickly changed the paradigm of solar-integrated consumer electronics, providing consumers with lightweight, powerful and extremely durable charging solutions for all their portable electronics. SurfrTM, a line of solar and battery integrated phone cases, allows users to charge their phone anywhere and in cases of emergency. KickrTM, a line of portable solar chargers, provides a charging solution for most USB enabled devices enabling power to be generated almost anywhere and in nearly every situation, perfect for emergency preparedness. With the addition of the JumprTM line of portable batteries, consumers now have a complete, integrated, solar charging and storage solution for life on the go.

About Ascent Solar Technologies:

Ascent Solar Technologies, Inc. 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.goenerplex.com, www.ascentsolar.com.

About TCC

TCC is a tenured Verizon Premium Wireless Retailer, operating more than 550 locations across the U.S. Since its founding in Marion, Ind.—the heart of the Midwest—in 1991, TCC has taken its uncanny ability to make wireless customers happy from coast to coast. The company has grown both its customer and employee loyalty through the launch of its “Culture of Good” movement in which TCC gives back in every community it does business. An employee-centric company, TCC knows that happy employees make for happy customers. To learn more about TCC or to find a location near you, visit www.TCCRocks.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.