Rochester Hills-based Energy Conversion Devices Inc. (NASDAQ: ENER) said Tuesday that its Uni-Solar thin-film flexible solar laminates will power the world's largest rooftop solar power system.
The 12-megawatt system is being installed on GM's assembly plant in Zaragoza, Spain and will become operational in the fall of 2008. ECD will supply the solar laminates through its subsidiary United Solar Ovonic LLC.
When fully operational, the photovoltaic system will have a peak capacity of 12 megawatts, producing as much as 15 million kilowatt hours of "green" energy annually, enough to power approximately 4,500 homes.
The Zaragoza facility marks GM's third major project involving Uni-Solar laminates. The thin-film flexible solar laminates also power GM parts warehouses in Rancho Cucamonga and Fontana, Calif., two of the largest rooftop solar power installations in the United States.
"While there has been recent uncertainty about government incentives for solar energy in Europe, and specifically in Spain, we have had great success with our products throughout Europe, and this project expands our presence in Spain where we see excellent growth opportunities for our Uni-Solar laminates, especially in building integrated and commercial rooftop applications," Morelli said.
GM partnered with Veolia Environnement, a world leader in environmental services, Clairvoyant Energy S.L., the solar energy developer, and the Government of Aragon to develop the Zaragoza renewable energy project. GM will lease its roof space to Clairvoyant Energy and Veolia Environnement, who will build, own and operate the rooftop solar installation.
More at www.ovonic.com.
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