Uni-Solar Ovonic and Solar Integrated Technologies Expand Strategic Alliance
AUBURN HILLS, Mich., April 21 -- 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 entered into an agreement with Solar Integrated Technologies (SIT) of Los Angeles to expand their strategic alliance formed in January 2003.
Under the terms of the agreement, SIT has certain exclusive rights to utilize UNI-SOLAR(R) flexible solar electric laminates for integration with single-ply roofing membranes for commercial, institutional and industrial buildings in North America. Additionally, SIT is expected to purchase more than 5MW of the UNI-SOLAR(R) products in 2004 to address its rapidly expanding customer base.
The combined technologies of United Solar Ovonic and SIT have translated into a strong partnership providing an attractive and technologically advanced solution to solar energy generation. SIT, combining single-ply roofing membrane with the UNI-SOLAR(R) flexible laminates, has completed several major solar roofing projects. In January 2004, SIT completed its first fully integrated solar electric roofing system at the 67,000 square foot Frito-Lay distribution center in Torrance, CA. Another Frito-Lay project in Sylmar, CA for 100 kW of PV integrated with the roof was completed in the fall of 2003. With the success of these projects, SIT announced that it received additional follow-up orders to install three other 100kW PV integrated roof systems for Frito-Lay. Other showcase installations are the 329 kW solar electric system for the Coca-Cola Bottling Company of Southern California and the first phase of up to a 5 MW PV installation for San Diego City schools.
"Many progressive companies are seeing solar roofing systems as an enormous opportunity to save thousands of dollars while generating clean renewable energy. We are very pleased with the expansion of our relationship with SIT and see our collaborative efforts as an important means to continue expanding the markets for our technologies," stated Stanford R. Ovshinsky, Chairman and CEO of Uni-Solar Ovonic and President and Chief Technology Officer of ECD Ovonics.
"Forging effective relationships is the foundation of our business. The partnership between United Solar Ovonic and Solar Integrated Technologies is the ideal way for two companies with expertise in their respective fields to join forces to offer their one-of-a-kind alternative energy solution," said Ed Stevenson, CEO of SIT. "We are pleased to partner with Uni-Solar. It is gratifying for us to continue to offer our customers market-leading, sought- after solar energy solutions."
"We are delighted to expand our relationship with SIT which will significantly scale up our business in the commercial and industrial PV markets," said Subhendu Guha, President and Chief Operating Officer of United Solar Ovonic. "As a leading integrator with extensive experience in the application of commercial roofing systems, SIT provides an unparalleled solution to renewable energy generation and management."
About Solar Integrated Technologies
Solar Integrated Technologies is the developer and manufacturer of an integrated flexible photovoltaic roof system for commercial and industrial applications. SIT also provides turnkey design for photovoltaic roof assemblies along with complete balance of systems design and accessories to provide "building-envelope" energy efficient solutions with up to 20-year warranties. For more information, visit www.solarintegrated.com .
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. The Uni- Solar Ovonic 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 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 Uni-Solar Ovonics' solar cell technology, such as lightweight, ruggedness and flexibility, they 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 amorphous silicon alloy multi-junction solar cells and related products. More information is available at www.uni-solar.com .