School Students Will Learn About Renewable Energy Options While UNI-SOLAR Products Provide Power to the Educational Facility
ROCHESTER HILLS, Mich., Aug. 12, 2010 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — United Solar, a leading global manufacturer of building-integrated and rooftop photovoltaics under its UNI-SOLAR® brand – and a wholly owned subsidiary of Energy Conversion Devices (Nasdaq:ENER) – announces the completed installation of its BIPV product at Junior Achievement of South Florida’s JA World Huizenga Center at Broward College in Coconut Creek, Florida.
UNI-SOLAR partner Advanced Green Technologies (AGT), in coordination with local installer Advanced Roofing, donated the UNI-SOLAR thin-film photovoltaic system to power JA World. The installation totals 175 kW.
“The UNI-SOLAR thin-film technology was selected as it offers many benefits over competitive products,” said Michael Kornahrens of AGT, a primary sponsor of Junior Achievement. “These laminates adhere directly to the roof without penetration, are flexible and lightweight and generate electricity at low light levels, thus producing more electricity per watt than other systems. Additionally important in South Florida is that UNI-SOLAR laminates are hurricane-resistant per Miami Dade Building Code.”
To further develop the ideals of Junior Achievement – which teaches students how to view the world of work, free enterprise, and their possibilities for success – JA World was built in 2009 to house two new, cutting-edge programs: JA BizTown and JA Finance Park. Both programs are hands-on, realistic site-based experiences. At JA Finance Park, students are issued a real-life situation including an annual salary and fictitious family to support on their personal budget. In South Florida, this includes teaching students about the importance of environmental responsibility.
“United Solar sees great value in educating today’s youth about making good financial decisions, while helping to improve their communities through knowledge and the use of practical renewable energy,” said Mark Morelli, President and CEO of United Solar’s parent company, Energy Conversion Devices. “While it’s good for United Solar to design, produce and sell product, it’s equally important to provide educational tools and opportunities for the advancement and enrichment of our youth,” added Mr. Morelli.
About Energy Conversion Devices/United Solar
Energy Conversion Devices (ECD) (Nasdaq:ENER) is a leader in building-integrated and rooftop photovoltaics. The company manufactures, sells and installs thin-film solar laminates that convert sunlight to energy using proprietary technology. ECD’s UNI-SOLAR® brand products are unique because of their flexibility, light weight, ease of installation, durability, and real-world efficiency. Through its Solar Integrated Technologies business, the company also designs, manufactures and installs rooftop photovoltaic systems, which enable customers to transform unused space on the rooftop into a value-generating asset. In addition, ECD’s Ovonic Materials Division is the pioneer in NiMH battery technology, and is developing low cost fuel cells, hydrogen production from bioreformation, and hydrogen storage technologies. For more information, please visit www.energyconversiondevices.com.
About Advanced Green Technologies
Advanced Green Technologies, an innovative renewable energy solutions provider, procures building-integrated renewable energy products. As a leading source for solar photovoltaic systems, AGT provides the products, designs, and support for installations of the most advanced, cost effective, and efficient green solutions for customers. Services include product selection based on building/site analysis, purchasing scale to drive down system price, system design and engineering, warranty integration, quality control, system maintenance, and output monitoring. For more information on Advanced Green Technologies, visit www.AGT.com.
About Junior Achievement
Junior Achievement of South Florida, established in 1959, is an advocate for teaching kids how to view the world of work, free enterprise, and their possibilities for success through experiential learning. With programs that span from kindergarten to grade 12, JA has developed age-appropriate curricula designed to teach students about their roles as individuals, workers, and consumers to prepare them for key economic and workforce issues they will face.
To further develop these ideals, JA has created Finance Park, which provides students with the opportunity to acquire a foundation for making intelligent, lifelong, personal financial decisions through hands-on, realistic site-based experiences.
This release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Safe Harbor Provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements include statements concerning our plans, objectives, goals, strategies, future events, future net sales or performance, capital expenditures, financing needs, plans or intentions relating to expansions, business trends and other information that is not historical information. All forward-looking statements are based upon information available to us on the date of this release and are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which are outside of our control, that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements. Risks that could cause such results to differ include: our ability to maintain our customer relationships; the worldwide demand for electricity and the market for solar energy; the supply and price of components and raw materials for our products; and our customers’ ability to access the capital needed to finance the purchase of our product. The risk factors identified in the ECD filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the company’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and most recent Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, could impact any forward-looking statements contained in this release.
Investor Relations Contact: Michael E. Schostak | Energy Conversion Devices Inc. | (248) 299-6063 | investor.relations@energyconversiondevices.com Media Contact: Tom Lang | Lovio George Inc. | (734) 953-3500 | tlang@loviogeorge.com