Solar Integrated Signs Multi-Year Exclusive Supply and Cooperation Agreement with United Solar Ovonic

 

London, UK, and Los Angeles, California, September 29, 2006 – Solar Integrated Technologies, Inc. (AIM:SIT.LN), a leading provider of building integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) roofing systems, announced today that it has signed a new multi-year supply and cooperation agreement with United Solar Ovonic LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Energy Conversion Devices, Inc. (ECD Ovonics) (NASDAQ:ENER).  United Solar Ovonic has been a long-standing supplier of flexible thin-film amorphous photovoltaic laminates to Solar Integrated.  The last supply agreement between the parties was signed in May 2004 and was set to expire on December 31, 2007.  This new supply agreement contemplates the purchase by Solar Integrated of more than 100 MW of flexible thin-film amorphous photovoltaic laminates from United Solar Ovonic through December 31, 2010.  Under the new agreement, Solar Integrated retains certain exclusivity rights in the North American market for its BIPV application.

The new supply and cooperation agreement also contemplates that the parties will collaborate to reduce product cost over the term of the agreement.

“We are delighted to extend and deepen our valued relationship with United Solar Ovonic,” stated R. Randall MacEwen, Interim Chief Executive Officer of Solar Integrated.  “This long-term strategic supply agreement will allow us to focus on building our business profitably with the confidence of critical supply of high quality, Ovonic thin-film photovoltaics.”

“Solar Integrated has been a strong advocate of our thin-film photovoltaics.  Their work in developing the commercial and industrial roofing market for BIPV applications is impressive,” commented Subhendu Guha, President and Chief Operating Officer of United Solar Ovonic.  “They have been a very important customer for the past five years, and we look forward to greater success in the years ahead.”

“United Solar Ovonic has been an outstanding partner during a challenging period,” stated Bruce M. Khouri, President and Chief Operating Officer of Solar Integrated.  “We remain grateful for their long-term commitment to this strategic relationship and are eager to engage our collective efforts to reduce product cost and expand our market opportunities together.”

About Solar Integrated:

Solar Integrated Technologies, Inc. (SIT: AIM.LN) is a Los Angeles-based company that manufactures, designs and installs building integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) roofing systems for non-residential, low-slope rooftops.  We are a global leader in the development of an innovative and proprietary BIPV roofing system that combines flexible thin-film solar modules with a single-ply roofing membrane for large-scale commercial and industrial applications.  Our BIPV roofing system enables our customers to transform a traditional rooftop into a value-generating asset.  Our customers include Coca-Cola Enterprises, Frito-Lay, Honeywell, ProLogis, San Diego Unified School District, Toyota, U.S. Air Force, U.S. GSA, U.S. Navy and Wal-Mart.  For more information, please visit www.solarintegrated.com.

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 www.uni-solar.com.

Forward-Looking Statement

This release includes forward-looking statements which are based on certain assumptions and reflect management’s current expectations as contemplated under the Safe Harbor provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from current expectations.  Some of these factors include:  the availability and cost of capital; uncertainty as to whether our strategies, partnerships and business plans will yield the expected benefits; general global economic conditions; general industry and market conditions and growth rates; increasing competition; the ability to identify, develop and achieve commercial success for new products, services and technologies; changes in technology; changes in laws and regulations, including government incentive programs; intellectual property rights; our ability to secure and maintain strategic relationships, including key supply relationships; and the availability of, and our ability to retain, key personnel.  Additional factors are discussed in our public disclosure materials from time to time.  We disclaim any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

For more information, please contact:

 

Solar Integrated Investor Relations Contacts:

R. Randall MacEwen                                                      John M. Palumbo

Interim Chief Executive Officer                                         Chief Financial Officer

Los Angeles, California, USA                                          Los Angeles, California, USA

+1.562.299.0136                                                            +1.562.299.0121

 

Solar Integrated Media Contacts:

Gavin Anderson & Company                                          

Ken Cronin or Deborah Walter                                        

London, UK                                                                  

+44.20.7554.1400                                                         

United Solar Ovonic Contacts:

Subhendu Guha                                    

President and Chief Operating Officer                                          

Auburn Hills, Michigan, USA

+1.248.475.0100