Mar 23, 2009 7:08 pm US/Mountain
Colorado Company Hiring Solar Energy Workers
Written by Environmental Specialist Paul Day
Reporting
Paul Day
THORNTON, Colo. (CBS4) ―
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Ascent Solar in Thornton says it's currently hiring new employees at the rate of half a dozen per month.
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The product is a thin film photovoltaic module that Ascent Solar claims is more flexible, more affordable than anything in the solar marketplace.
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A Colorado company is going commercial with a product it believes could revolutionize the way sunshine is harnessed for electrical power.
"It's really a very thin material which lends itself to making low-cost solar panels for various uses," explained Prem Nath, Senior Vice President of Production Operations for Ascent Solar.
The product is a thin film photovoltaic module that Ascent claims is more flexible, more affordable than anything in the solar marketplace.
"We've got demand for our product," said Joe McCabe, Vice President of Business Development for the company.
On Tuesday, Ascent was set to open its new 145,000 square-foot manufacturing facility and world headquarters in Thornton. Gov. Bill Ritter will speak at the dedication ceremony. The phrase "New Energy Economy" has become a cornerstone of Ritter's first term in office.
Ascent says it's currently hiring new employees at the rate of half a dozen per month.
"It has great benefits," said Teressa Gehrke, a new hire at Ascent.
Just the promise of a paycheck means a lot to Pete Chasarik.
"I got laid off in the semi conductor industry," Chasarik said.
Anne Gatchtell graduated from college last May as a chemical engineer. She took a job with Ascent recently because she likes working for a smaller company.
"Here I can wear a few more hats than I could at a really big company," Gatchtell said.
Ascent expects to hire an additional 180 to 200 workers before the end of next year.
"These are all high-paying jobs," said Ashutosh Misra, Ascent's Senior Vice President.
The average salary will be about $40,000.
Ascent has been operating a pilot plant in Littleton, but the Thornton production facility will be much bigger and allow the company to turn out thin film solar products by the end of 2009.
Competitors also make thin film solar, but Misra says Ascent is the first to create high-efficiency thin film on plastic. The product is "plug and play," meaning there are no cables or wires and that fact also helps reduce costs.
The company is currently developing ways to integrate their solar designs into building materials such as rooftops and facades. That means when the sun is shining, homes integrated with Ascent's products would generate their own electricity. Domestic needs would be met first. Any surplus power created by the thin film solar would have to be bought by the local power utility as required by Colorado law. If it pans out, Ascent envisions future products that allow customers to utilize sunshine for electricity in homes at a fraction of the cost of conventional photovoltaics.
New employee Gehrke says she hired on because she wants to make a difference.
"There are things this company can do to help with sustainability and renewable energy," Gehrke said.
Ascent Solar is investing $110 million on its expansion in Colorado.
"From a solar manufacturing perspective, this is one of the most sophisticated manufacturing you're ever going to see," said Misra, because the production cycle occurs in a vacuum and nothing harmful is ever allowed to escape into the environment.
"Our process is very, very clean." explained Misra, who also holds the title of Operations Manager.
Ascent's new headquarters and production facility in Thornton had been a vacant building for years before being totally renovated by the company at a cost of $10 million. The entire makeover occurred in less than 12 months.
Misra beamed as workers uncrate custom made manufacturing equipment shipped in from overseas.
"A year ago, this was like a rat-hole." he said.
Additional Resources
Those you would like more information about applying for a job with Ascent Solar, visit a
special section of the Ascent Solar Web site.
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