In booth 35474 at 2014 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas (7–10 January), Ascent Solar Technologies Inc of Thornton, CO, USA, which makes lightweight, flexible copper indium gallium diselenide (CIGS) thin-film photovoltaic modules that it integrates into its EnerPlex brand of consumer products, is to debut the Surfr phone case for the iPhone 5 and 5s (the world's only case designed for the phones utilizing both battery and solar technology), along with the firm's full line of EnerPlex products and accessories.

Ascent says that the Surfr case provides not only protection but doubles the battery life of the iPhone, giving users hours of additional audio, web and talk time. Its lightweight design is enabled by the thin form factor of Ascent's proprietary CIGS solar technology, allowing solar to be integrated into the thinnest and lightest solar-enabled case on the market, it is claimed. The Surfr case has a 2000mAh lithium ion battery built in and comes in black and five other colors.

"EnerPlex has designed an exceptional case which maintains the beauty, form and function of the iPhone while adding the additional battery life consumers so desperately need," comments Ascent's president & CEO Victor Lee.