ENER Accretion Acquisition Corporation

Honorable Samuel W. Bodman, U.S. Secretary of Energy, as Part of His 'Energizing America for Energy Security' Tour, Delivers the Keynote Address at United Solar Ovonic's Groundbreaking Ceremony The new 160,000 sq. ft. state-of-the-art thin-film solar module manufacturing facility will double United Solar Ovonic's production capacity and will employ approximately 200 additional people AUBURN HILLS, Mich., July 14 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- United Solar Ovonic LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Energy Conversion Devices, Inc. (ECD Ovonics) (NASDAQ:ENER), today announced the groundbreaking for United Solar Ovonic's second 25-megawatt thin-film triple-junction solar module manufacturing facility in Auburn Hills, Mich. The existing United Solar Ovonic 25-megawatt module manufacturing plant is the largest thin-film photovoltaic module manufacturing plant in the world. It produces unique, flexible thin-film, rugged photovoltaic modules which convert sunlight directly into electricity. The doubling of United Solar Ovonic's production capacity is an important step in United Solar Ovonic achieving its goal of becoming a leader in the use of advanced technology to address the growing world market for solar photovoltaic products. Particularly, it will enable United Solar Ovonic to meet the needs of its existing customers since UNI-SOLAR(R) products are in great demand worldwide. "I congratulate Uni-Solar on this groundbreaking that will bring 200 jobs to the Auburn Hills area. This new facility will help provide consumers and contractors with another option to reduce energy costs and improve energy efficiency," U.S. Department of Energy Secretary Samuel Bodman said. "Expanding the use of solar power is an important component of decreasing our nation's overall dependence on foreign sources of oil. As we can improve our energy security we can improve our nation's security." Governor Jennifer Granholm stated, "Congratulations to the team of United Solar Ovonic and Energy Conversion Devices on the groundbreaking of their second advanced solar cell production facility in Michigan. This is an exciting development for the entire state. United Solar Ovonic and ECD Ovonics are leading examples of high-technology manufacturing underway in our state which will create more high-paying jobs. We applaud their progress and look forward to what is yet to come." In commenting on the occasion of the groundbreaking, Senator Carl Levin said, "I have been following your progress with interest for many years and applaud your achievements. I am especially pleased with the progress of the research and development efforts of your solar cells on flexible substrates. These solar cells have the potential to significantly improve our military capabilities and increase our energy security." Compared to conventional solar technology utilizing single crystal or polycrystal silicon, United Solar Ovonic's thin-film solar cells are 100 times thinner, do not use crystalline silicon material and, therefore, are unaffected by the worldwide scarcity of silicon. The products, unlike conventional glass-based PV products, are lightweight, flexible and rugged and can be aesthetically integrated into buildings. The new 160,000 square foot facility, which will be located at 2705 Commerce Parkway in Auburn Hills, Mich., is scheduled to be ready for occupancy in May 2006. A section of the facility will be available in October of this year to begin installation of the new thin-film solar module manufacturing machine. About United Solar Ovonic United Solar Ovonic, building on technology invented and pioneered by ECD Ovonics, is the world leader in thin-film amorphous photovoltaics. Its existing 25-megawatt production equipment is the world's largest and most advanced machine for the manufacture of thin-film amorphous silicon alloy solar cells and related products used for a variety of applications ranging from large solar farms for utility-scale applications to charging batteries for solar lanterns. UNI-SOLAR(R) solar cells are lightweight, rugged and flexible, and are ideal as building-integrated photovoltaic roofing systems for residential and industrial customers. 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. More information on United Solar Ovonic can be found at http://www.uni-solar.com/ . About ECD Ovonics ECD Ovonics is the leader in the synthesis of new materials and the development of advanced production technology and innovative products based on amorphous, disordered and related materials. It has invented, pioneered and developed its proprietary, enabling technologies in the fields of energy and information leading to new products and production processes. The Company's portfolio of alternative energy solutions includes Ovonic thin-film continuous-web amorphous solar cells, modules, panels and systems for generating solar electric power manufactured and sold by its wholly owned subsidiary United Solar Ovonic LLC and Ovonic NiMH batteries manufactured and commercialized by Cobasys LLC, its 50-50 joint venture with Chevron Technology Ventures LLC. ECD Ovonics holds the basic patents in its fields. More information on ECD Ovonics is available on http://www.ovonic.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. Such forward-looking statements are based on assumptions which ECD Ovonics, as of the date of this release, believes to be reasonable and appropriate. ECD Ovonics cautions, however, that the actual facts and conditions that may exist in the future could vary materially from the assumed facts and conditions upon which such forward-looking statements are based. DATASOURCE: United Solar Ovonic LLC CONTACT: Subhendu Guha, President and COO of United Solar Ovonic LLC, +1-248-475-0100, , or Media Contact: Dick Thompson of Energy Conversion Devices, Inc., +1-248-299-6053, Web site: http://www.ovonic.com/ http://www.uni-solar.com/

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