United Solar Ovonic BIPV System Energizes New California School
ROCHESTER HILLS, Mich., Aug 26, 2004 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ --
The first of three new California schools using solar energy to power its classrooms is being dedicated today in the city of Brentwood, located in Contra Costa County. United Solar Ovonic LLC (Uni-Solar Ovonic), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Energy Conversion Devices, Inc. (ECD Ovonics) (Nasdaq: ENER), was tapped by the Brentwood School District to provide Building-Integrated Photovoltaic (BIPV) roofing. The 33 kW roof and energy system will put power back into the grid for the district's new Pioneer Elementary School.
"With the state cutting school operational spending, the decision to use solar power made good business sense," says Pam Currier, business manager for the Brentwood School District. "Electricity costs the district hundreds of thousands of dollars each year. We'll save that much in the long-run with the UNI-SOLAR(R) system."
Proprietary UNI-SOLAR(R) building integrated photovoltaic laminates are manufactured using Uni-Solar Ovonic's 30-megawatt production equipment, which produces nine miles of roll-to-roll sheets of photovoltaic material in three days on a machine the size of a football field. The high temperature and low light characteristics of these laminates result in more delivered energy to the building even on cloudy days.
"The UNI-SOLAR(R) technology is ideal for school applications," says Barry Cinnamon, president of Akeena Solar, the contractor at Pioneer School. "The array can withstand dirt, rocks, and any kind of weather. It's also easy to install on the metal flat panel roofing most schools have in place."
At the Pioneer Elementary School, unique lightweight and flexible UNI-SOLAR(R) photovoltaic laminates were applied directly to the school's stainless steel roofing pans using a "peel and apply" adhesive.
The Brentwood School District, which recently received a $125,000 rebate from Pacific Gas & Electric for the system, will be a part of the PG&E solar schools program that teaches students about renewable and clean energy. The district will offset the other costs of the system with state money, local money, and developer's fees.
"We are pleased that the Brentwood school district has selected our Building-Integrated Photovoltaic laminates as the solar of choice for schools," says Tom Moran, Sr. Product Market Manager at United Solar Ovonic. "The dual purpose roof and energy system will now convert necessary capital expenditures and operating costs into a single 'clean energy producing asset' with a measurable return on investment. Besides the advantages of providing an aesthetically pleasing, virtually indestructible, easily installed roof and solar solution, the UNI-SOLAR(R) system will produce up to 1,500,000 kW/hr over the life of the system to help offset the school district's most expensive price periods, which will in turn substantially reduce their annual operating costs."
A second UNI-SOLAR(R) BIPV system will be installed at the Grant Avenue Elementary School now under construction in the district. A third system for a new 80 kW middle school is under bid.
About Uni-Solar Ovonic:
Uni-Solar Ovonic is the world leader in thin-film solar technology. Building on technology invented and pioneered by ECD Ovonics, Uni-Solar Ovonic's production equipment is the world's largest and most advanced machine for the manufacture of thin-film solar cells and related products used for a variety of applications, ranging from charging batteries for solar lanterns to large solar farms for utility-scale applications. UNI-SOLAR(R) cells are lightweight, rugged, and flexible, and are ideal as Building-Integrated Photovoltaic roofing systems for residential and industrial customers. ECD Ovonics and Uni-Solar Ovonic hold the basic patents covering the continuous roll-to-roll manufacturing of thin-film multi-junction solar cells and related products. More information is available at www.uni-solar.com .
This release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Safe Harbor Provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements are based on assumptions which ECD Ovonics, as of the date of this release, believes to be reasonable and appropriate. ECD Ovonics cautions, however, that the actual facts and conditions that may exist in the future could vary materially from the assumed facts and conditions upon which such forward-looking statements are based.
For more information, please contact Dick Thompson, Director, Media Relations of Energy Conversion Devices, Inc., +1-248-293-0440.
SOURCE Energy Conversion Devices; United Solar Ovonic LLC
Dick Thompson, Director, Media Relations of Energy Conversion
Devices, Inc., +1-248-293-0440
uni-solar.com
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