ROCHESTER HILLS, Mich., Aug. 30, 2010 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Diesel is well known for its bold marketing and top-brand line of clothing– but also important to Diesel is its goal of successful living through environmental corporate responsibility. That's where Diesel turned to Solar Integrated, a solar energy systems provider and affiliate of United Solar, the leading global manufacturer of UNI-SOLAR brand flexible thin-film photovoltaic laminates. The 198 kWp producing rooftop is now installed and on the power grid at Diesel's headquarters in Breganze, Italy.
Solar Integrated acted as the system's engineering, procuring, and construction (EPC) contractor and installed its proprietary SolarRoof membrane, consisting of a heavy duty TPO roofing membrane combined with UNI-SOLAR photovoltaic laminates. The SolarRoof system highlights a double-protective layer for water-proofing and was chosen for this application to utilize key product characteristics of being very flexible, lightweight, durable and reliable. The SolarRoof product blends with the building's unique architecture – plus it provides a faster return on investment with the opportunity for Diesel to lower its energy consumption in a non-obtrusive manner. Solar Integrated and United Solar are wholly owned subsidiaries of Energy Conversion Devices (Nasdaq:ENER).
Diesel's company headquarters is a bold contemporary design, built with a very good energy rating and a top goal to reduce energy consumption. The SolarRoof Membrane featuring UNI-SOLAR photovoltaic laminates were the perfect fit for maintaining the architectural integrity of the Diesel building's sleek design - due to their high energy output under varying daylight conditions with extremely lightweight and flexible thin-film characteristics.
"Like many UNI-SOLAR applications around the globe, Diesel's headquarters required a seamlessly-integrated solar solution in which the laminates would blend in perfectly with the modern design of the building," said Mark Morelli, President and CEO of Energy Conversion Devices. "UNI-SOLAR's low-load, low-profile flexible laminates will not only maintain the architectural design of the Diesel headquarters from the ground, but also look good to those guests that may arrive by air – all while generating electrical power and reducing Diesel's carbon footprint."
Partnering with Solar Integrated on the large project were: general contractor Carron Cav. Angelo S.p.A of San Zenone, Italy, which also deals in real estate; project manager Jacobs Italia S.p.A. with offices in 26 countries around the globe; and roofing contractor Isocaf S.L.R of Vigonza, Italy.
About Energy Conversion Devices/United Solar/Solar Integrated
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. Through its Solar Integrated Technologies business, 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 bio-reformation, and hydrogen storage technologies. For more information, please visit www.energyconversiondevices.com.
About Diesel
Diesel has long been a leading pioneer in denim and casual fashion, known for moving outside and ahead of trends in its industry. While retaining always its DNA, in recent years Diesel has evolved into the world of premium casual wear, becoming a true alternative to the established luxury market. Despite Diesel's extraordinary growth, its philosophy is the same as when Renzo Rosso created it in 1978: he envisaged a brand that would stand for passion, individuality and self-expression. Today, Diesel continues to blaze its own trail. And the "Diesel Planet" has a population of 5,000 uniquely different people. Diesel is a truly worldwide organization. From its headquarters in Molvena, it directly manages 18 subsidiaries across Europe, Asia and the Americas. It is now present in more than 80 countries with 5,000 points of sale, including more than 500 company owned stores. Diesel is part of the holding Only the Brave, which also incorporates 55DSL - a brand strongly linked to street wear and urban culture, Staff International – an Italian company that manufactures and distributes brands such as Diesel Denim Gallery, Maison Martin Margiela, DSquared2, Vivienne Westwood, Victor & Rolf and Marc Jacobs Menswear - and controlling majority of stakes in Maison Martin Margiela and Viktor and Rolf. In 2008, the holding's revenues amounted to 1.318 billion euro. For further information: Diesel International Press Office: Tel +39 02 42 409 555. www.diesel.com
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.