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ECD Ovonics Signs MOU with TJIC for Silicon PV Operation

September 18, 2005 by Jeff Shepard

Energy Conversion Devices Inc. (ECD, Rochester Hills, MI) announced that its wholly owned subsidiary, United Solar Ovonic LLC, has entered into a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Tianjin Jinneng Investment Company (TJIC) to form a joint venture to establish a 25 MW thin-film, triple-junction, amorphous silicon photovoltaic (PV) module manufacturing operation in Tianjin, the People's Republic of China.

The Production Technology and Machine Building Division of ECD Ovonics will build the manufacturing equipment for the joint venture. ECD Ovonics designed and built United Solar Ovonic's existing 25 MW PV manufacturing equipment, and is building the second facility, which will double United Solar Ovonic's US manufacturing capacity.

"As part of our strategy to make our photovoltaic products more widely available throughout the world, we have been exploring opportunities in China," said ECD Ovonics Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer James Metzger. "This announcement marks a significant step towards the realization of our strategy."