MASHINIi

Ascent Solar Technologies, Inc.

ASTI.US | Manufacture of electric motors, generators, transformers and electricity distribution and control apparatus

Ascent Solar Technologies, Inc. is a developer of flexible thin-film solar modules using copper-indium-gallium-selenide (CIGS) technology. These modules are lightweight and flexible, making them suitable for integration into various products and applications, including aerospace, portable power, and...Show More

Ethical Profile

Mixed.

Ascent Solar Technologies faces significant employee concerns; Glassdoor reviews show a 2.4/5 rating, well below the manufacturing industry average of 3.7, with only 28% of employees recommending the company. Compensation and benefits are rated 2.0/5, reportedly decreasing by 4% in the last year, with critics pointing to financial instability and stagnant pay. As a solar module manufacturer, Ascent Solar inherently contributes to planet-friendly business, achieving 15.7% efficiency for its CIGS thin-film PV technology and replacing cadmium sulfide to boost efficiency by 5-8%. However, its involvement in aerospace, satellites, and unmanned aerial vehicles raises questions, as these sectors may indirectly support military applications. Reports suggest a lack of explicit policies against supplying technology for military purposes. Broader environmental impact data, ethical sourcing details, and specific waste reduction initiatives are largely unavailable.

Value Scores

Better Health for All0
-100100
Fair Money & Economic Opportunity0
-100100
Fair Pay & Worker Respect-60
-100100
Fair Trade & Ethical Sourcing0
-100100
Honest & Fair Business-20
-100100
Kind to Animals0
-100100
No War, No Weapons0
-100100
Planet-Friendly Business-40
-100100
Respect for Cultures & Communities0
-100100
Safe & Smart Tech0
-100100
Zero Waste & Sustainable Products0
-100100

Better Health for All

0

Ascent Solar Technologies develops flexible thin-film solar modules for applications in aerospace, portable power, building-integrated photovoltaics, agriculture, and defense.

1
The provided articles do not contain any evidence of the company's products or operations having a direct positive or negative impact on health outcomes. There is no information indicating engagement in health-related initiatives, programs, or data management. Therefore, all KPIs related to 'Better Health for All' are scored as 'Not applicable' or 'neutral' based on the rubric's definitions, due to a lack of direct relevance or specific evidence.

Fair Money & Economic Opportunity

0

No evidence available to assess Ascent Solar Technologies, Inc on Fair Money & Economic Opportunity.

Fair Pay & Worker Respect

-60

As of January 2021, none of the company's employees are members of a union, and the company is not a party to any collective bargaining agreements.

1
Employee reviews on Glassdoor indicate an overall employee rating of 2.4 out of 5 stars, which is significantly below the manufacturing industry average of 3.7 stars.
2
Only 28% of employees would recommend working at Ascent Solar.
3
Voluntary employee turnover is reported at 70% annually.

Fair Trade & Ethical Sourcing

0

The provided Code of Conduct for Ascent Solar Technologies, Inc. outlines the company's commitment to ethical conduct and compliance with laws.

1
However, it does not contain any quantitative data or specific details regarding fair trade and ethical sourcing practices, such as fair-trade certifications, audit frequencies, incidents of forced or child labor, supply chain traceability, remediation speeds, ethical clause coverage in supplier contracts, materials risk index, or supplier diversity spend.
2

Honest & Fair Business

-20

Ascent Solar Technologies, Inc. has a comprehensive anti-corruption policy that explicitly states compliance with the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977

1
and prohibits unauthorized payments, bribes, and kickbacks
2
. All directors, officers, and employees are required to provide an annual Code of Conduct Certification
3
. The company also has a formal whistleblower policy allowing anonymous submissions through multiple channels, including a 24/7 telephone hotline and an online form
4
. An Investigation Workgroup is established to investigate complaints and devise an action plan within up to 60 days
5
. Employees are protected from retaliation for good-faith reporting, as specified in Section 806 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
6
.

Kind to Animals

0

Ascent Solar Technologies Inc. is listed as having "No Animal Exploitation."

1
This indicates that the company does not engage in animal testing, use animal-derived ingredients, or operate animal agriculture facilities. Therefore, KPIs related to cruelty-free certification, alternative testing methods, humane operations, ethical input substitution, supplier audits for animal welfare, cage-free sourcing, animal testing policies and volume, innovation investment in animal-free alternatives, animal agriculture ethics, and animal-free R&D collaboration are not applicable to its business model.

No War, No Weapons

0

No evidence available to assess Ascent Solar Technologies, Inc on No War, No Weapons.

Planet-Friendly Business

-40

Ascent Solar Technologies, Inc. was subject to a settlement agreement, effective June 9, 2017, for a Proposition 65 violation.

1
The company failed to warn consumers about DEHP in specific earbud products.
2
As a result, Ascent paid a civil penalty of $3,000 and reimbursed $20,000 in attorney's fees.
3
The company also committed to reformulating the products to ensure DEHP concentration was less than 0.1 percent.
4

Respect for Cultures & Communities

0

No evidence available to assess Ascent Solar Technologies, Inc on Respect for Cultures & Communities.

Safe & Smart Tech

0

The company's privacy policy, last updated in November 2017, states that sensitive information, such as credit card data, is encrypted during transmission.

1
It also indicates that only the minimum necessary data is collected.
2
Users are provided with options to opt-out of future communications and can request access, modification, or deletion of their data.
3

Zero Waste & Sustainable Products

0

No specific, quantitative data or concrete actions related to waste diversion, product recyclability, packaging sustainability, recycled content, single-use plastic reduction, take-back programs, circular design, waste reduction initiatives, hazardous waste management, product durability, repairability, waste audits, zero waste certifications, waste disposal violations, material efficiency, packaging-to-product ratio, waste reduction targets, supplier waste requirements, or customer waste education were found in the provided articles for Ascent Solar Technologies, Inc.

1

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AI-generated analysis based on publicly available data. Not financial advice. Ratings are expressions of opinion derived from automated models and may contain inaccuracies. See our Risk Disclosure for full details.