UNI-SOLAR(R) Partner Marcegaglia Opens Integrated Photovoltaic Plant in Italy Initiative)

The new PV factory combines the production of UNI-SOLAR(R) PV laminates with Marcegaglia's metal products to produce the perfect product for PV-integrated, insulated metal roofing panels.

AUBURN HILLS, Mich., Oct. 24, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- United Solar, the

global manufacturer of UNI-SOLAR(R) lightweight, flexible thin-film solar
cells and modules, announces the opening of the new Marcegaglia photovoltaic
(PV) manufacturing facility in Taranto, Italy. The new PV factory combines
the production of UNI-SOLAR(R) PV laminates with Marcegaglia's metal
products to produce the perfect product for PV-integrated, insulated metal
roofing panels.

This new operation produces PV laminates from UNI-SOLAR(R) cells and is a
leading example of United Solar's recently announced Open Solar(TM)
initiative. Marcegaglia's laminates are produced in 10 different product
sizes and vary from 1.3 to 9 meters in length, with rated power outputs up
to 242 watts per panel. Marcegaglia has begun sale and installation of the
BIPV insulated roofing panels including these innovative laminates. One
important reference, includes 3.2 megawatts
(MW) across 13 of its industrial buildings in Taranto, capable of producing
3.7 million kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity. The total investment in the
Marcegaglia PV operation was approximately 15 million Euros and currently
employs 150 people.

"We have found that UNI-SOLAR's flexible, lightweight product is ideal to
integrate with our rooftop PV products. UNI-SOLAR has provided excellent
technical and operational support in establishing our PV facility in Italy,"
said Enzo Poggi, President, Marcegaglia Buildtech S.R.L.

The Marcegaglia BIPV product complies with the requirements of "Integrated
Photovoltaic Systems with Innovative Characteristics," is IEC/CEI certified
and therefore benefits from Italian solar incentives under "Titolo III" of
Conto Energia 4. With the production in Taranto, Marcegaglia qualifies as a
European photovoltaic laminates manufacturer, that is, among those companies
who are entitled to guarantee the extra 10% solar incentive as stated by the
Italian Conto Energia 4.

The Taranto plant is certified according to EN/CEI 61646 and EN/CEI
61730-2 both for the production of photovoltaic modules and for the
manufacturing of photovoltaic integrated roofing systems.

United Solar's Open Solar initiative focuses on the development and
commercialization of its unique lightweight, flexible thin film solar cells
through innovation with third-parties. Through this collaborative approach
with its customers, products already launched in the market include factory
integrated solar roofing products, solar-powered military shelters, and
solar-powered consumer bags and chargers.

About Marcegaglia

Marcegaglia is the leading industrial group worldwide in the steel
processing sector, with a yearly output of 5 million tons. The group has
operations worldwide with 7,000 employees, 51 sales offices, 210
representations and 50 manufacturing plants covering 6 million square
meters, where 5,500 kilometers of carbon and stainless steel products are
manufactured every day, serving more than 12,000 customers.
Activities in the steel sector (88%) and other businesses (12%) are expected
to generate 3.6 billion euro turnover in 2010, with an estimated increase to
6.0 billion by 2013. Founded in 1959 and fully owned by the Marcegaglia
family, the group is headquartered in Gazoldo degli Ippoliti, Mantova, and
is organized into 7 business areas: steel, building, home products,
engineering, energy, tourism, services.

About United Solar/UNI-SOLAR(R)

United Solar has been a global leader in building-integrated and rooftop
photovoltaics for over 25 years. The company manufactures, sells and
installs thin-film solar laminates that convert sunlight to clean, renewable
energy using proprietary technology for which the company has been awarded
over 70 U.S. patents. UNI-SOLAR(R) brand products are unique because of
their flexibility, light weight, ease of installation, durability, and
real-world energy production. The company also designs, manufactures and
installs rooftop photovoltaic systems, which enable customers to transform
unused rooftop space into a value-generating asset. The Open Solar(TM)
Initiative is seeking to build a community of solar innovators who will
commercialize new products using the underlying UNI-SOLAR patented
technology. For more information on United Solar visit uni-solar.com or
follow UNI-SOLAR on Facebook.com/unisolar and Twitter.com/uni_solar.

About Energy Conversion Devices, Inc.

Energy Conversion Devices (ECD) (Nasdaq:ENER) has a renowned 51 year history
since its formation in Detroit, Michigan, and has been a pioneer in
materials science and renewable energy technology development. The company
has been awarded over 500 U.S. patents and international counterparts for
its achievements. Besides the United Solar business which represents about
90% of ECD's sales and assets, ECD's technology portfolio also includes the
Ovonic Battery Company, the inventor and worldwide licensor of
nickel-metal-hydride battery technology and the developer of proprietary
advanced lithium-ion cathode materials, along with other emerging energy
storage technologies. ECD's Ovonyx joint venture is the inventor and
worldwide licensor of phase change memory (PCM) technology. For more
information, please visit ECD on the web at energyconversiondevices.com and
on Facebook, and follow ECD on Twitter @ECD_ENER.

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