AE looks to emerge from dark cloud

Advanced Energy Industries has attracted a lot of negative press this year because of staff layoffs as well as turnover in the executive suite.

The Fort Collins company remains optimistic about its future, but a dark cloud has formed over the solar industry that shows little sign of disappearing.

Chinese competition, skepticism in Congress and uncertainty about subsidies have made 2011 a bleak year for AE and other industry players.

The recent release of a new product line helped offset some of the downbeat news, but it will take a lot more to turn attitudes around in a year in which AE…