JM’s E3 company and ECD to deliver PV systems for commercial rooftops

Johns Manville, global manufacturer of energy-efficient building products and Energy Conversion Devices, manufacturer of thin-film amorphous silicon-based PV laminates, have announced a multiyear agreement for ECD to supply Uni-Solar laminates to JM, which will market its capability through a new business entity, the JM E3 Company, or E3 Co.

Fred Stephan, vice president and general manager of the Roofing Systems business for JM, said, "This further strengthens our leadership in sustainable roofing. We are excited to partner with ECD to incorporate their lightweight, flexible and durable Uni-Solar laminates into our single ply, built-up and modified bitumen roofing membrane systems."

Mark Morelli, ECD's president and CEO, said, "We look forward to working with JM to advance the adoption of clean, renewable power in the form of rooftop solar technology."

There is no mention of what the megawatt supply levels will be for this agreement.

At less than one pound per square foot, Uni-Solar laminates are lightweight and nonintrusive, and require no rooftop penetrations or mounting systems, eliminating the impact on roof life and performance that is associated with penetrating PV systems.

The two companies agree that these thin-film PV laminates provide a return on investment through a low installed cost and low cost-per-kilowatt-hour of energy produced when compared to traditional rigid glass panel PV alternatives.

PV Tech reported on ECD's acquisition of Solar Integrated Technologies (SIT) earlier this month, pointing out that taking on a failed company was a seemingly brave move. This latest transaction seems to point towards new avenues of investment, as the SIT takeover put the company in direct competition with its other customers.