Uni-Solar Ovonic Receives Order for 1.25 MW of Photovoltaic Panels From Sunset of Germany

Panels to address the large grid-connected PV market in Germany

AUBURN HILLS, Mich., March 8 -- United Solar Ovonic LLC (Uni-Solar Ovonic), the world leader in thin-film amorphous-silicon solar technology and a wholly owned subsidiary of Energy Conversion Devices, Inc. , today announced that it has received an order for 1.25 MW of photovoltaic (PV) panels from Sunset Energietechnik GmbH (Sunset) of Germany. Sunset has also signed a letter of intent to purchase 5 MW of UNI-SOLAR(R) products over the next 24 months. The products will be used by Sunset to address Germany's expanding grid-connected PV market.

Sunset, a leading supplier of PV systems in Germany, had a worldwide sale of PV modules exceeding 12.5 MW in 2003. It chose the UNI-SOLAR(R) modules because of their ruggedness, shadow tolerance and superior performance both at high temperature and under cloudy and low light conditions typical of Germany's climate conditions.

"The UNI-SOLAR(R) products will be used for on-grid systems on large roofs and fit perfectly with our marketing strategy," said Dr. A. Linsenmeyer, Senior Product Manager of Sunset.

"Sunset, with a large customer base, is a major player in the German market offering PV systems," said Salama Naguib, United Solar Ovonic's Vice- President of International Sales. "We are delighted that Sunset has chosen us to address the rapidly growing PV market in Germany."

Uni-Solar Ovonic's unique thin-film amorphous solar products are being accepted as the ideal solution for both commercial and residential applications. Differing from the traditional crystalline technology, which typically utilizes heavy, glass-mounted panels, the UNI-SOLAR(R) products are flexible, durable, lightweight, aesthetically pleasing and easy to install.

About Uni-Solar Ovonic

Uni-Solar Ovonic, building on technology invented and pioneered by ECD Ovonics, is the world leader in thin-film amorphous photovoltaics. Uni-Solar Ovonic's 30-megawatt production equipment is the world's largest and most advanced machine for the manufacture of thin-film amorphous-silicon alloy solar cells and related products that are used for a variety of applications ranging from solar lanterns of 2-3 watts to large solar farms of 500 kilowatts. Because of characteristics unique to the Uni-Solar Ovonic's solar cell technology, such as lightweight, ruggedness and flexibility, it is 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 amorphous- silicon alloy multi-junction solar cells and related products. More information is available at www.uni-solar.com .

About Sunset

Sunset, headquartered in Adelsdorf near Erlangen in northern Bavaria, was founded in 1979. Since inception, Sunset has emerged as a leading privately owned company within the PV industry, and now operates as a producer, system- house and distributor of PV modules and systems. In addition to its facility in Germany, Sunset has production sites in China, Hong Kong, Malaysia, England and Israel. With three additional branches in Germany, and branches in Austria, Switzerland, USA, Tunisia, Namibia, Singapore, Hong Kong and Brazil, Sunset is now taking care of its customer's requirements worldwide. In 2003, its worldwide sales of photovoltaic modules exceeded 12.5 MW. More information is available at www.sunset-solar.com .