Oct 29 2009
Energy Conversion Devices, Inc. (ECD) (Nasdaq: ENER), the leading global manufacturer of UNI-SOLAR thin-film flexible solar laminates, and CertainTeed Corporation, a leading North American building products manufacturer, today announced the installation of EnerGen(TM), a breakthrough solar roof system, on the official residence of Michigan Governor Jennifer M. Granholm.
EnerGen is the first product developed through a joint venture announced between the two companies in October 2008, and is slated for official launch to the roofing industry in 2010. EnerGen combines Uni-Solar's industry-leading expertise in photovoltaics (PV) with CertainTeed's century-long leadership in residential roofing to create a solar roof system that seamlessly integrates the solar with roofing shingles. To celebrate this achievement, the two companies donated a 3.2 kW EnerGen system for Governor Granholm's official residence in Lansing, Michigan.
"We are pleased that our collaboration with CertainTeed has resulted in the development of an industry first," said Mark Morelli, ECD's President and CEO. "In recognition of Governor Granholm's tireless efforts to reconstruct Michigan's economy around clean, renewable energy, it's entirely appropriate that her home receives one of the first EnerGen residential rooftop solar power systems. She can be proud to know that the solar cells powering her rooftop system were developed and manufactured in Michigan."
"Our goal since partnering with United Solar was to develop lightweight, aesthetically pleasing integrated solar roofing products that are affordable and available to more people," said Guillaume Texier, President of CertainTeed Roofing. "EnerGen is a tremendous step in that direction and CertainTeed looks forward to developing a portfolio of PV products for both residential and commercial applications. As a proud Michigan employer, CertainTeed is honored to support the Governor's energy efforts with this launch."
The official Michigan Governor's Residence is a single-story home on four acres in the Moores River Drive neighborhood of Lansing. Designed by American Architect Wallace Frost, the original home was built in 1957 and donated to the state in 1969. Since then, several additions and renovations have been made to expand and modernize the home using products and materials made in Michigan. Mechanical Energy Systems of Michigan assisted with the installation of the system on the Governor's residence. The home also features CertainTeed's Grand Manor Luxury Shingles, a product that also adorns the historic Henry Ford home and Eastern Market in Detroit.
"Dan and I are grateful and excited that the governor's official residence in Lansing can now generate some of its own electricity using solar technology developed right here in Michigan," Granholm said. "These new EnerGen panels show how Michigan companies like United Solar are leading the way in alternative energy development and are helping to transform our state into a global center for green manufacturing. We hope that homes throughout Michigan and the world will take advantage of clean, renewable energy sources to help improve our environment and our economy."