Solar Energy

Denver named new program's first official "Solar Friendly Community"

After several negative headlines around solar energy locally -- including the bankruptcy of Abound Solar and news of major delays on a planned Aurora solar plant -- Colorado has some good news to share about renewable energy. Denver officials announced yesterday that the city is the first to be reco ... More >>

Abound Solar: Ex-NREL exec defends bankrupt firm, government investments in renewables

In March, when news broke about layoffs at Abound Solar, a Colorado business with government support, the chief financial officer told us he was aware his company could be used as a political football in the presidential race. In June, Abound went bankrupt and has recently been the source of more ne ... More >>

Solar panels installed on low-income homes for free as GRID Alternatives comes to Colorado

GRID Alternatives, a California-based nonprofit group that works on renewable energy, is launching a national expansion plan to bring solar panels to homes across the country -- and its first stop is in the Denver metro area, which has a long and complicated history with alternative energy research.

Dick Lamm, Denis Hayes on progress of National Renewable Energy Lab 35 years later

In this week's feature, "Sun Burn," we take a closer look at what the National Renewable Energy Lab in Golden has accomplished over the last 35 years -- and how bright its future appears to be as it pushes forward with a massive expansion. For the piece, we spoke with Denis Hayes, an early directo ... More >>

What has the National Renewable Energy Lab done for the public good?

See also: Top fifteen inventions and innovations of the National Renewable Energy Lab

Photos: Top fifteen inventions and innovations of the National Renewable Energy Lab

In this week's feature, "Sun Burn," we go inside the National Renewable Energy Lab -- the federal facility in Golden that has for 35 years been dedicated to innovations in energy efficiency. In print, we take an in-depth look at NREL's important role in solar energy and other industries over the pas ... More >>

Ken Salazar says feds confident in solar despite Colorado setbacks

Abound Solar has officially gone bankrupt and General Electric PrimeStar is putting on hold a much-anticipated solar panel plant it had planned for Aurora. Both cases are disappointing developments for renewable energy in Colorado -- but Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar says these are just mino ... More >>

Update: Seventy layoffs at GE PrimeStar after Aurora plant put on hold

Update: Over the next few months, dozens of General Electric employees in Colorado will face layoffs as part of the company's controversial plan to put a much-anticipated solar manufacturing plant on hold for at least eighteen months. Since news broke last week about GE's plans to delay an Aurora fa ... More >>

PrimeStar founder Brian Murphy on GE layoffs, Aurora solar plant delay, technological doubts

There are a lot of lingering questions in the local renewable energy industry, and in Aurora, about news that General Electric is laying off employees and putting construction of an Aurora solar plant on hold. Yesterday, we tracked down Brian Murphy, one of the founders of PrimeStar, a Colorado star ... More >>

Abound Solar bankruptcy: Does it raise concerns about Colorado's energy industry?

News broke yesterday that Abound Solar, a Colorado-based solar panel maker that has struggled for months -- notably with a major round of layoffs in February -- has officially filed for bankruptcy.

E-470 launches country's largest toll-road solar power purchase pact -- for free

The unbearably hot weather is not all bad. This was the recurring joke of a press conference under the blazing sun just off toll road E-470, where officials announced the launch of a twenty-year solar energy project that, by some measures, is the largest of its kind in the country.

Solar for a Small Planet will shine at the Ricketson Auditorium tonight

The sun may not break through all the smoke in the air from the Jefferson County wildfires today, but "Solar for a Small Planet," a free program at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science tonight, will shine a light on how solar helps power low-income communities around the world.

Ken Salazar hawking solar "sweet spots" for an energy boost

Ken Salazar.​Yesterday, after three years, more than 80,000 public comments, and countless hours reviewing ponderous economic and environmental issues -- in other words, pretty speedy for government work -- Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar unveiled the Obama administration's slimmed-down ... More >>

Ken Salazar pushes renewable energy "on steroids"

Ken Salazar.​Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar announced federal approval of four large renewable energy projects in the West today, touting the new jobs and clean power that those projects and others in the pipeline will bring -- and described his department's approach to renewables as so ... More >>

Colorado Head-to-Toe: Nerding out with Zeal Optics' Transcend GPS and Reliant Backpack

​I've been checking in with cool Colorado companies and trying out their goods on a mission to assemble a locals-only gear bag. This month I've been testing three different pairs of ski/snowboard goggles from Boulder-based Zeal Optics as well as the company's sweet new solar panel pack that he ... More >>

Grow show highlights the electronic garden: Kenny Be's Worst-Case Scenario

Plug into the great outdoors.​ Forget the Colorado Home and Garden Show! As shown above, electronic lifestyle advancements have replaced the potted patio ficus tree with a Wi-Ficus phone-charging tree. Below, the greatest advancement will help growers use outdoor sunshine indoors...

Green Means Go

The EarthWorks Expo is ready to show you the sustainable way.

Auraria Campus Goes Green

Students get solar-powered.

Sun Day