News: Photovoltaics
9 September 2026
Ascent expands commercial and defense industry expertise
Ascent Solar Technologies Inc of Thornton, CO, USA – which designs and makes lightweight, flexible copper indium gallium diselenide (CIGS) thin-film photovoltaic (PV) panels that can be integrated into consumer products, off-grid applications and aerospace applications – has added Tom Bawol as its new director of strategic sales & market development, and Lieutenant General Steve Smith to its Strategic Advisory Board in the role of strategic advisor.
Together, the appointments add decades of military leadership, strategic planning, operational management and business development experience to Ascent as it continues to expand the commercial reach of its thin-film PV technology within the space, defense, unmanned systems and other burgeoning markets.
Bawol joins Ascent after completing over 20 years of service as a leader in the US Army Special Forces. During that time, he developed extensive experience leading complex operations, building partnerships and government, defense and commercial stakeholders. Recently, he expanded his experience in the private sector with roles in energy infrastructure and federal technology sales. His work has given him hands-on experience in identifying government customer requirements and developing strategies to translate emerging market needs into commercial growth opportunities.
In his new role, Bawol will help to identify and develop new commercial opportunities for Ascent’s thin-film PV technology. He will cultivate strategic relationships with prospective customers and partners to support the firm’s continued expansion into markets in need of power generation capabilities that thrive in punishing conditions and environments.
Smith joins Ascent’s Strategic Advisory Board following a distinguished career in the US Army that included senior leadership positions that oversaw large-scale military operations, logistics, technology integration and multi-national partnerships. More recently, Smith served as the Deputy Commanding General of Western Hemisphere Command, where he oversaw about 700,000 personnel with a $4.8bn budget.
At Ascent, his role will involve leveraging his experience with military operations, technology adoption and government partnerships to advise company leadership on strategic opportunities and potential applications for its thin-film PV technology within its core markets.
“Tom Bawol and Lieutenant General Steve Smith are both proven leaders that bring exceptional experience in relationship development and identifying actionable business development opportunities where our thin-film solar technology can actively address real-world challenges,” says CEO Paul Warley. “Their expertise will play a crucial role in our continued efforts to expand the commercial reach of our thin-film products in space, defense, unmanned systems, marine and other core markets.”
