ROCHESTER HILLS, Mich., Dec. 10, 2010 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- United Solar, a leading global manufacturer of light-weight, flexible thin-film UNI-SOLAR® solar modules and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Energy Conversion Devices (ECD) (Nasdaq:ENER), announced today that U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gary Locke invited United Solar's Martha Duggan to join the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Advisory Committee.
A photo accompanying this release is available at
The newly formed Committee will advise the Secretary on the development and implementation of programs and policies that will help expand the competitiveness of the U.S. renewable energy and energy efficiency industries.
"I am honored to accept Secretary Locke's invitation to join his Advisory Committee and I look forward to working with the other committee members to provide input to the Secretary's plans for programs and policies that will expand the competitiveness of the U.S. renewable energy industry," said Duggan, Vice President, Government and Regulatory Affairs at ECD/United Solar. "Having participated in Secretary Locke's clean energy trade mission in China earlier this year, I know firsthand of the Secretary's commitment to these issues and the fine staff that support this work at the Department of Commerce.
"As one of the long-time leaders in solar research and development, United Solar has helped advance solar energy technology to where it is today. We feel our perspective can be beneficial on a committee advising our government leadership as it further charts the future of renewable energy," Duggan added.
Duggan will be one of 28 Committee members who will serve a two-year term and focus on making recommendations to the Secretary of Commerce on policies and programs that strengthen the competitiveness of U.S. renewable energy and energy efficiency exports. They will also develop strategies to identify and expand export markets for the renewable energy and energy efficiency industries, both in the short- and long-term.
"We will work closely with the Advisory Committee to help achieve President Obama's goal of making the United States a leader in the global green economy," Secretary Locke said. "U.S. companies in these critical sectors need to take full advantage of increased export opportunities that will create green jobs for Americans, which are needed to sustain our economic growth."
Committee members represent the entire spectrum of the renewable energy and energy efficiency sectors, from wind, solar and hydropower to green building, power distribution and energy finance. The list of Committee members is available at http://ita.doc.gov/td/energy.
Secretary Locke held his inaugural meeting with the Advisory Committee on December 7, 2010.
Energy Conversion Devices (ECD) (Nasdaq:ENER) is a leader in building-integrated and rooftop photovoltaics. The company manufactures, sells and installs thin-film solar laminates that convert sunlight to energy using proprietary technology. ECD's UNI-SOLAR brand products are unique because of their flexibility, light weight, ease of installation, durability, and real-world efficiency. The company also designs, manufactures and installs rooftop photovoltaic systems, which enable customers to transform unused space on the rooftop into a value-generating asset. In addition, ECD's Ovonic Materials Division is the pioneer in NiMH battery technology, and is developing low cost fuel cells, hydrogen production from bioreformation, and hydrogen storage technologies. For more information, please visit .
This release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Safe Harbor Provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements include statements concerning our plans, objectives, goals, strategies, future events, future net sales or performance, capital expenditures, financing needs, plans or intentions relating to expansions, business trends and other information that is not historical information. All forward-looking statements are based upon information available to us on the date of this release and are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which are outside of our control, that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements. Risks that could cause such results to differ include: our ability to maintain our customer relationships; the worldwide demand for electricity and the market for solar energy; the supply and price of components and raw materials for our products; and our customers' ability to access the capital needed to finance the purchase of our product. The risk factors identified in the ECD filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the company's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and most recent Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, could impact any forward-looking statements contained in this release.
CONTACT: Energy Conversion Devices, Inc. Investor Relations Contact Michael E. Schostak, Head of Investor Relations (248) 299-6063 investor.relations@energyconversiondevices.com United Solar Public Relations Contact Wendy Ventura, Manager of Marketing Communications (248) 299-6064 pr@uni-solar.com