Oct 28 2009
UNI-SOLAR Installation to Save 167,605 Kilowatt Hours of Electricity Annually
ROCHESTER HILLS, Mich., Oct. 27 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Energy Conversion Devices, Inc. (ECD) (Nasdaq: ENER), a manufacturer of proprietary, thin-film amorphous silicon-based photovoltaic (PV) laminates, announced today that its UNI-SOLAR® laminates will be used to power a 136-kW solar photovoltaic rooftop system at the Austin Water Utility's Glen Bell Service Center in Austin, Texas.
On September 24, the Austin City Council granted approval for Austin Energy - the nation's 9th largest community-owned electric utility - to build the city's largest solar rooftop installation using lightweight and flexible UNI-SOLAR laminates. Beginning November 1, approximately 1,000 laminates covering 23,250 square feet of roof space will be installed on the Service Center.
"The Glen Bell Service Center recently replaced its worn roof with a new membrane roof. Our peel-and-stick UNI-SOLAR laminates are the ideal choice for a membrane rooftop solar solution since they can be quickly installed and do not make any holes in the brand new roof," said Mark Morelli, president and CEO of Energy Conversion Devices.
When complete, the 136-kW system will have a peak electrical output of 105 kW, with a capacity factor of about 18%. It is expected to reduce the Service Center's peak demand by about 24 kW and save 167,605 kWh annually, or enough power to provide electricity to 17 average-sized homes in Austin for an entire year.