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United Solar Ovonic Supplies 420 kW of UNI-SOLAR(R) PV Laminates to Installer 3rd Rock Systems & Technologies, Inc.

Posted on: Wednesday, 15 November 2006, 15:00 CST

AUBURN HILLS, Mich., Nov. 15 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- United Solar Ovonic, a wholly owned subsidiary of Energy Conversion Devices, Inc. (ECD Ovonics) , announced today that it has supplied 420 kW of photovoltaic (PV) laminates to 3rd Rock Systems & Technologies, Inc. (3rd Rock Systems) to power two of its latest Solar School Projects at Yuba City United School District and Alpine Union School District.

3rd Rock Systems, a leading renewable energy firm, has successfully commissioned many of California's largest solar schools and is currently using PV laminates manufactured by United Solar Ovonic for its next-generation solar school projects. Based in Burlingame, Calif., 3rd Rock Systems draws on its extensive experience to help clients of all sizes to protect themselves against the rising and volatile costs associated with grid electricity through the use of proven renewable energy technologies, such as solar photovoltaic and hydrogen-based fuel cell applications.

River Bend Elementary School, scheduled to open in Fall 2007, will boast a 300 Kilowatt (DC-rated) PV system permanently adhered to standing-seam metal rooftops on 15 buildings, including 10 portable classrooms. The entire system will consist of 2,362 flexible UNI-SOLAR(R) 136 and 68 watt "peel and stick" field-applied PV laminates.

"The excellent high-temperature performance of UNI-SOLAR(R) triple junction thin-film laminates is expected to maintain maximum system performance during the hot summer days typical of California's central valley," said Vijay Israni, CEO of 3rd Rock Systems. "The DC electricity generated from the laminates will feed through three Satcon 75 kW inverters and one Satcon 50 kW inverter to supply AC power to the school's main electrical service," he added.

In 2004, 3rd Rock Systems delivered a 34 Kilowatt "Pilot" photovoltaic system to Alpine Union School District for the Joan MacQueen Middle School. Pleased with the results, the District decided to move ahead with an additional 120 kilowatt PV system at Joan McQueen consisting of 1,158 flexible UNI-SOLAR(R) 136 and 68 watt "peel and stick" PV laminates on two standing- seam metal rooftops.

"We chose UNI-SOLAR(R) products for the add-on system because the thin- film laminates require absolutely no mounting hardware and add no significant weight to the existing roof," said Vijay Israni.

Both schools will feature a 3rd Rock Systems proprietary internet-based performance monitoring system, which will double as a teaching tool with interactive "Learning Modules" designed to help educate the students, teachers and the entire community about the benefits of renewable energy technologies.

"Working with innovative companies like 3rd Rock Systems helps to bring our vandal resistant, aesthetically pleasing and unbreakable PV products to schools, colleges and universities who value these features the most," said Qudrat Delawari, Vice President of North American Sales at United Solar Ovonic.

Unlike traditional crystalline technology, which uses heavy glass panels, UNI-SOLAR(R) products are flexible, durable, lightweight, and easy to install. Because of these characteristics, UNI-SOLAR(R) triple-junction products offer the ideal solution for both grid-connected and off-grid solar electric systems. Independent studies in Europe and elsewhere have shown that triple junction products deliver more energy per rated power than the conventional crystalline products.

About United Solar Ovonic

United Solar Ovonic, building on technology invented and pioneered by ECD Ovonics, is the world leader in thin-film amorphous photovoltaics. ECD's United Solar Ovonic high-volume 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. Because of characteristics unique to the United Solar Ovonic 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 holds 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 http://www.uni-solar.com/ .

About 3rd Rock Systems

3rd Rock Systems & Technologies is an organization that focuses on proven Renewable Energy technologies such as solar photovoltaics, fuel cells and hydrogen-based generation systems. They design clean energy solutions that provide immediate and long-term benefits from both an economic and environmental perspective. 3rd Rock Systems has extensive experience working with both public agencies and private clients. More information is available at http://www.3rdrock.us/ .

United Solar Ovonic

CONTACT: Elliot Jaramillo, Vice President of Sales, 3rd Rock Systems &Technologies, Inc., +1-866-437-3762, elliotj@3rdRock.us ; or Qudrat Delawari,Vice President of North American Sales, United Solar Ovonic LLC,+1-800-397-2083, qdelawari@uni-solar.com

Web site: http://www.ovonic.com/http://www.3rdrock.us/http://www.uni-solar.com/

Source: PRNewswire-FirstCall

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