New "Learning about Solar Power" Guide Available from SunEdison for 6-12 Educators and Students

Business Wire, Oct 28, 2008

Developed for the City Tour for Solar, Hands-on Program Explores Photovoltaic Solar

BELTSVILLE, Md. -- Solar industry leaders behind the on-going travelling educational exhibit "City Tour for Solar" today released a solar technology and social sciences curriculum in response to growing demand from educators and exhibit visitors. "Learning About Solar Power" is a comprehensive and hands-on lesson plan for grades 6-12 educators. The guide and lesson plans are available at www.citytourforsolar.com. (See lesson plan objectives below.)

The photovoltaic solar educational program provides a four-hour, grade-appropriate curriculum, which explores solar energy, energy conversion and conservation. The program also brings solar to life, providing resources for students to build their own photovoltaic energy system as a compelling component of an integrated, hands-on, science/social sciences curriculum.

"Students care deeply about the environment and many feel the effect of the rising cost of fuel at home. They want to know more about energy and, in particular, about solar energy," said Dr. Laura Martin, senior director of science interpretation and content for the Arizona Science Center. "A program like this, from the real-world, brings solar energy to life for students and also really allows them to develop an understanding of how energy profoundly affects their lives. This is technology being developed today for use now and in decades to come."

Jigar Shah, founder and chief visionary officer for SunEdison, noted, "I was a teenager when I developed an avid interest in energy. If we want to really bring solar to scale, we need to work with the leaders of today, and support our educators to develop U.S. students' interests in the environment and renewable energy. These teens are our future scientists, engineers, and policymakers. It's important that they get a good understanding of how solar energy works now - before they enter college."

The City Tour for Solar is visiting 50 Western cities in 100 days. The tour will conclude on November 14, in Sacramento, Calif. For information, visit www.citytourforsolar.com.

SunEdison is North America's largest solar energy services provider with over 450 employees and is one of five companies sponsoring the tour. The other sponsors are Evergreen Solar, Inc., a manufacturer of solar power panels; United Solar Ovonic, LLC, a manufacturer of thin-film solar laminates; SMA America, Inc., a manufacturer of solar inverters; and Xantrex Technology, Inc., a manufacturer of advanced power electronic products, including solar inverters.

"Learning About Solar Power" lesson objectives for grades 9-12:

* Introduce the concept of renewable and non-renewable energy resources

* Explore solar energy as a key renewable energy resource, emphasizing photovoltaic technology and electricity generation

* Understand the science behind photovoltaic technology and how it generally works in a system

* Enable students to build their own photovoltaic energy systems and perform a scientific investigation to understand what conditions influence the electrical output of solar cells

* Learn how solar energy fits into today's U.S. electricity supply and how this influences students' daily lives - discuss advantages, drawbacks, challenges, and opportunities of the technology

Objectives for grades 6-8:

* Learn about the concept of renewable and non-renewable energy resources

* Explore solar energy as a key renewable energy resource emphasizing photovoltaic technology and electricity generation

* Learn about energy conversion, using a photovoltaic energy system as an example

* Build a photovoltaic energy system and see the science come alive

* Gain a greater understanding of how energy fits into students' daily lives and inspire an interest in being part of future solutions

About SunEdison

Sun Edison LLC is North America's largest solar energy services provider and operates across a global marketplace. SunEdison provides solar-generated energy at or below current retail utility rates to a broad and diverse client base of commercial, municipal and utility customers. For more information about SunEdison, please visit http://www.sunedison.com.

About Evergreen Solar

Evergreen Solar, Inc. develops, manufactures and markets String Ribbon[TM] solar power products using its proprietary, low-cost wafer technology. The company's patented wafer manufacturing technology uses significantly less polysilicon than conventional processes. Evergreen Solar's products provide reliable and environmentally clean electric power for residential and commercial applications globally. For more information about the company, please visit www.evergreensolar.com.

About United Solar Ovonic

United Solar Ovonic LLC, a subsidiary of Energy Conversion Devices, Inc. (NASDAQ: ENER), manufactures and sells thin-film solar laminates that convert sunlight to energy using proprietary technology. Distributed globally under the UNI-SOLAR([R]) brand, the company's products are ideally suited for cost-effective solar roofing solutions because they are lightweight, durable, flexible, can be integrated directly with building materials, and generate more energy in real-world conditions. http://www.uni-solar.com