Tagged: Renewable Energy

Thornton-based Ascent Solar Technologies has cut its workforce from 167 employees as of last September to 85. That’s according to recent quarterly filings made with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Many of the layoffs were in the production division. That’s because the company is changing course, hoping that its lightweight solar panels will be more interesting to niche markets. CEO Ron Eller says that translates into innovating new products, like one prototype that incorporates panels into tent flaps for the military.

As state utility regulators are deciding whether to allow Xcel Energy to drastically cut a rebate program for homeowners who install rooftop solar panels, a new project aims to study how renewable energy and conservation can be made more financially appealing to utility companies. 

Xcel Energy is taking heat from the state's solar industry after last week's announcement that it plans to drastically cut back on a popular rebate program for consumers.