THORNTON, Colo.—Ascent Solar Technologies, which makes flexible, thin-film solar generating modules, is opening a manufacturing plant in Thornton that will employ up to 200 people.
Gov. Bill Ritter attended the company’s grand opening Tuesday and toured the 145,000-square-foot building that Ascent is renovating for around-the-clock operations. The company currently has 60 employees at its Littleton facility and plans to be at full manufacturing capacity by the end of next year.
Ascent Solar’s Chairman and CEO Mohan Misra developed the thin-film solar technology. He was a researcher at Martin Marietta in the Denver area before founding the company.
Misra said Ascent has developed the technology over more than 15 years and opening the plant is a big milestone for the company.
“Thanks to companies such as Ascent Solar, we’re creating a sustainable energy future, sustainable opportunities for new businesses and sustainable jobs for citizens all across Colorado,” Ritter said.
The thin-film solar modules are flexible and lightweight and can be integrated into building materials and electronic products, said Ashu Misra, the company’s vice president of operations and general manager of the new plant.
“The beauty of this is that it becomes part of your structure,” Ashu Misra said. “This becomes your siding. This could become your curtain, your awning, your tent.”
Ascent produces its solar-generating modules on plastic. The company was started by ITN Energy Systems to commercialize the solar technology.
Ashu Misra said Norwegian-based Norsk Hydro has a 35 percent stake in Ascent.
———
On the Net: Ascent Solar Technologies:
