ROCHESTER HILLS, Mich., Oct. 7, 2010 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- United Solar, a wholly owned subsidiary of Energy Conversion Devices (Nasdaq:ENER) and a leading global manufacturer of flexible thin-film photovoltaics (PV) under its UNI-SOLAR® brand, announces the completion of one of the largest solar installations in Paris, France on the rooftop of Sisley, the global luxury cosmetic brand.
United Solar, working closely with renowned building material companies, secured this installation with its channel partner Soprema, a major modified bitumen roofing material expert in France. Soprema's modified roofing material, SopraSolar, is powered by UNI-SOLAR, integrating their PV laminates into the waterproofing function. Sisley headquarters includes six building rooftop sections totaling 45,000 square meters (485,000 square feet) and 35,000 square meters (377,000 square feet) of which are covered by the UNI-SOLAR powered SopraSolar bituminous PV membrane. This combination is critical in France, where higher feed-in tariffs apply for Building Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV) – requiring the solar system to take over part of the building envelope's function. Once running, the 848 kWp project will power the equivalent of 181 households annually, while drastically lowering Sisley's carbon footprint.
Panhard Development S.A.S., the lead developer on the building's new construction and a pioneer in France's HQE (Haute Qualite Environnementale) sustainable building standard was responsible for the decision to use UNI-SOLAR photovoltaic laminates. According to Christian Kopp, Development Director of PANHARD Realisation, "This decision was based on the load restrictions of the roof and the high rate of diffuse sunlight in the Paris region. UNI-SOLAR's PV laminates addressed both issues by being extremely lightweight without adding additional wind loads. Additionally, due to the triple-junction amorphous silicon technology, these PV modules are able to capture more sunlight under non-optimal orientation and diffuse light levels, generating the highest energy yields under real outdoor conditions."
The project owner made the decision to install solar because being green is important to their image and part of their social and environmental responsibility program, SER.
"United Solar is proud to have worked with multiple companies to support Sisley in its endeavor to add more solar power in the city of Paris," said Mark Morelli, President and CEO of United Solar's parent company, Energy Conversion Devices. "We're committed to continue providing world-class solutions in the BIPV market that perform well in all types of conditions, while remaining cost-effective and light weight for a wide-range of projects."
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 bio-reformation, and hydrogen storage technologies. For more information, please visit www.energyconversiondevices.com.
About PANHARD
DEVELOPER DESIGNER DIRECTOR INVESTOR
Panhard Development Group designs and manufactures buildings and housing estates for businesses: logistics platforms, logistics parks and activities, headquarters and offices. Today, in a mature market, buildings and logistics parks are a real estate asset class in its own right. Many actors are now attracted to this line of products. Panhard development totals 630,000 square meters of offices, industrial premises, warehouses, logistic centers and business parks, ongoing or planned.
About Sisley
Sisley, a French brand, is one of the world leaders in luxury cosmetics and boasts one of the strongest growth rates in the industry. Sisley products are marketed in over 80 countries on all five continents. Sisley controls the major part of its distribution through a network of about 30 subsidiaries, with over 80 percent of its revenues generated from exports. The majority of Sisley's products are manufactured in France, mainly at its Blois plant, while its research and development laboratories are located just outside Paris.
About Soprema/Solardis
Soprema, Inc. was founded in 1908 in Strasbourg, France. This family owned company operates fourteen major manufacturing facilities throughout the world that produce millions of feet of waterproofing membrane each year. Soprema's extensive experience in chemical engineering, manufacturing, system design and installation technology have kept it on the cutting edge of roofing and waterproofing technology. Solardis is the PV division of Soprema that develops and sells the SOPRASOLAR range of products.
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.