Colorado Alternative Energy

Xcel started an experimental power plant near Grand Junction that uses a combination of solar power and coal.

The Denver Post has a profile on CSU professor Walajabad Sampath, who is working on making a more efficient solar cell after his instrumental role in Abound Solar’s early days.

The Post’s Mark Jaffe reports on a study showing that nearly $800 million in VC investment and $300 million in government stimulus money has poured into Colorado in the last decade. The state received the 15th-most stimulus funds.

Elsewhere, ColoradoBiz editor Mike Cote profiles some of the Cleantech Open semifinalists.

A couple pieces of CSU news from this week:

• The university announced the launch of a solar R&D center that will be led by W.S. Sampath, a professor and the co-founder of Abound Solar.
• Also, CSU named a new developer for its planned wind far, near the Wyoming border. The previous developer, Wind Holding LLC, was declared in default after being hit by the recession.