New $9m Air Force contract for UNI-SOLAR

United Solar Ovonic, a leader in thin-film amorphous silicon solar technology, a subsidiary of Energy Conversion Devices (NASDAQ: ENER), today announced a new contract with the U.S. Air Force.

The Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) in New Mexico has exercised a contract option for $9.1 million with United Solar Ovonic to develop new solar cell technology to be used in space and airship vehicles addressing defense and homeland security applications.

Today's announcement builds upon the success of earlier contracts with the Air Force.

Since May 2003, United Solar Ovonic has been working with the Advanced Space Power Generation Group in the Space Vehicles Directorate of AFRL to develop ultralightweight solar arrays on thin stainless steel foils and polymers for use in space and airship vehicles.

Solar cells on thin stainless steel foil are already being tested in AFRL experimental missions such as TacSat-2 satellite, which was launched in December, 2006.

The company's UNI-SOLAR-brand space photovoltaic (PV) products offer an ultralight, low-cost alternative to conventional space PV modules made of crystalline silicon or gallium arsenide.

UNI-SOLAR triple-junction modules, originally developed for terrestrial applications, are made of amorphous silicon-based thin-film alloys, which are deposited on a 5-mil flexible stainless steel substrate.

By utilizing a polymeric substrate, space cells have already been developed that have a specific power greater than 1000 Watts per kilogram (W/kg), significantly higher than other approaches.

The radiation hardness and superior high-temperature performance of amorphous silicon make it an attractive material for space application, the company said.

United Solar Ovonic is a leader in thin-film amorphous photovoltaics. ECD Ovonics and United Solar Ovonic hold the basic patents covering the continuous roll-to-roll manufacturing of thin-film amorphous-silicon alloy multi-junction solar cells and related products.

Only a few weeks ago, the company's well-known founder and namesake moved out of his executive role (see Stan Ovshinsky passes the baton at ECD Ovonics.)

Follow the Cleantech Group's coverage of United Solar Ovonic here.

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