CENTRIA Teaming With United Solar Ovonic To Expand Use Of Photovoltaics With Standing Seam Metal Roof Systems

Moon Township, PA - CENTRIA, a Pennsylvania-based commercial building products leader, announced that its CENTRIA Services Group Division has signed a non-exclusive, OEM purchase agreement for Building Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV) for the non-residential metal standing seam roofing industry with United Solar Ovonic LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Energy Conversion Devices, Inc.

Photovoltaics (PV) is a solar power technology that uses solar cells to convert light from the sun into electricity. A BIPV system integrates these elements into the building envelope, such as the roof or the facade. By concurrently serving as building envelope material and power generator, BIPV systems provide savings in materials and electricity costs, reduce use of fossil fuels and the release of ozone depleting gases and can add to the aesthetic appeal of a building.

As part of the agreement, United Solar Ovonic will supply its proven thin-film photovoltaic product, branded UNI-SOLAR®, and CENTRIA Services Group will provide its engineering and systems integration technology, resulting in the development of BIPV systems standards for all standing seam manufacturers. The alliance positions CENTRIA Services Group as the turnkey solutions provider for standing seam manufacturers as they look for a BIPV System to brand, manufacture and sell as their own.

“For five years now, we’ve tracked the technology, market pricing and adoption rates and feel now’s the time to establish standards for BIPV standing seam,” said Rick Mowrey, director of marketing and business development for CENTRIA Services Group. "Needless to say, with rising energy costs, architects and owners agree. This partnership represents a great step in industry progress, as research confirms United Solar Ovonic’s thin-film PV technology is a perfect fit for standing seam metal roofing."

For more information on the alliance, standing seam manufacturers and building designers should contact Rick Mowrey, CENTRIA Services Group at 412-299-8101.

Based in Pittsburgh (Moon Township, Pa.), CENTRIA Services Group, is a division of CENTRIA, an international company and the U.S.’s premier supplier of architectural metal wall and roofing systems used in commercial/industrial projects. Since 1906, CENTRIA professionals have provided quality products and services for architectural and construction firms worldwide. For more information about CENTRIA call 412-299-8218 or visit www.centria.com.

United Solar Ovonic, LLC, a subsidiary of Energy Conversion Devices, Inc. (NASDAQ: ENER), manufactures and sells thin-film solar laminates that convert sunlight to energy using proprietary technology. Distributed globally under the UNI-SOLAR® brand, the company's products are ideally suited for cost-effective solar roofing solutions because they are lightweight, durable, flexible, can be integrated directly with building materials, and generate more energy in real-world conditions. For more information, please visit www.uni-solar.com (United Solar) and www.ovonic.com (Energy Conversion Devices).