United Solar, a wholly owned subsidiary of Energy Conversion Devices, Inc. (ECD) (NASDAQ:ENER) and a leading global manufacturer of lightweight, flexible thin-film solar modules, announced a new customer relationship under their Open Solar™ initiative with GP Solar, a GP® Batteries company of Hong Kong, and an initial order of 600 kilowatts (kW) of UNI-SOLAR® photovoltaic (PV) cells.
United Solar initiated the Open Solar program to drive wide-scale acceptance of its UNI-SOLAR PV technology, and the integration of its laminates and cells seamlessly and cost effectively into everyday applications. GP Solar is deploying UNI-SOLAR PV technology with the introduction of its unique GP Solar Charger. The Solar Charger combines UNI-SOLAR PV cells with GP Solar’s Nickel-Metal-Hydride (NiMH) rechargeable batteries, produced under license from ECD’s Ovonic Battery Company.
Andrew Ng, Chairman and Chief Executive of GP Batteries International Limited, said, “We are very pleased with our new partnership with United Solar, and we believe this working relationship willstrengthen GP’s product portfolio as well as better promote green energy to the world.”
”United Solar is excited to expand our commercial relationship with GP Solar with this order,” said Chris Bala, Vice President of Sales, and Open Solar program lead. “We expect this is just the beginning of a long and mutually successful relationship with GP Solar, leveraging our mutual strengths in solar technology development and commercialization of consumer electronics.”
UNI-SOLAR’s unique, triple-junction, thin-film cell architecture produces more real-world power then competitive products, differentiating products like the GP Solar Charger from the competition. Additional Open Solar products include building integrated PV (BIPV) roofing, solar-powered military shelters, and solar-powered consumer bags and chargers. United Solar will be exhibiting at booth #2135 during Solar Power International 2011 in Dallas this week.
United Solar, with more than 25 years experience in the solar industry, is the largest manufacturer of light weight, flexible solar panels in the world, and has been awarded nearly 70 United States patents for various technological advancements.