- Operating Profitability Achieved in Second Half, Solar Gross Margin Sustained at 30+ Percent
- World's Largest 12MW Solar Rooftop Installation Confirms Leadership in BIPV/Rooftop Market
- Sales Pipeline Grows 50% to $1.8 Billion

Energy Conversion Devices, Inc. (ECD) (Nasdaq: ENER), the leading global manufacturer of thin-film flexible solar laminate products for the building integrated and commercial rooftop markets, today announced financial results for the fourth quarter and fiscal year ended June 30, 2008.

Total consolidated revenues for the quarter were $82.4 million, up 18 percent from third quarter revenues of $70.0 million, and 129 percent higher than fourth quarter fiscal 2007 revenues of $36.0 million. Solar product sales were $77 million, a 19 percent sequential increase and a 161 percent increase over the prior-year quarter.

Net income for the fourth quarter was $9.9 million, or $0.24 per share, compared to net income of $7.0 million, or $0.17 per share, in the third quarter of fiscal 2008, and a net loss of $13.1 million, or $0.33 per share, in the year-ago period.

Gross margin on product sales in the solar business was 33.5 percent in the fourth quarter, compared with 30.7 percent in the third quarter. United Solar Ovonic produced 26.2 MWs in the fourth quarter and 73.6 MWs for the fiscal year. As of June 30, 2008, the solar product sales pipeline was $1.8 billion, as compared to $1.2 billion at the end of the fiscal third quarter.

Mark Morelli, ECD's president and chief executive officer, said, "During fiscal 2008, we focused on operational excellence, and successfully built a strong foundation for sustained long-term growth. For example, fourth quarter solar gross margin improved to 33.5 percent compared with 15.8 percent last year. SG&A as a percent of revenue in the fourth quarter declined to 16.9 percent from 30.8 percent a year ago. As a result, we achieved profitability from operations for the second half of fiscal 2008."

Mr. Morelli added, "Fiscal 2008 marked a major transition in ECD's history, as the company generated positive operating cash flow of $28.5 million during the year, a significant improvement from the negative $21.8 million in fiscal 2007. We also completed an important capital raise that will allow us to fund our expansion to 1GW of capacity by the end of fiscal 2012. The selection of UNI-SOLAR to power the world's largest rooftop solar installation validates our continued success at selling UNI-SOLAR's differentiated value proposition into new and expanding markets and distribution channels in the rooftop and building-integrated PV markets. I am confident that our growth and momentum will continue into fiscal 2009 and beyond."

First Quarter and Fiscal Year 2009 Guidance

Total consolidated revenues are expected to be between $95 and $98 million for the fiscal first quarter ending September 30, 2008, and between $455 and $485 million for fiscal 2009. Solar product sales for the first quarter are expected to be $89 to $91 million and $430 to $450 million for fiscal 2009. For the first quarter, gross margin is expected to be about 31 percent, and between 33 and 35 percent for the second half of the fiscal year. Restructuring costs are expected to be between $1.7 and $2.0 million for the first quarter and $2.5 to $3.0 million for fiscal 2009. Preproduction costs are expected to be between $1.5 and $1.9 million for the first quarter and between $7.0 and $9.0 million for fiscal 2009.

About Energy Conversion Devices

Energy Conversion Devices, Inc. (ECD) (Nasdaq: ENER) is the leader in building integrated and commercial rooftop photovoltaics, one of the fastest growing segments of the solar power industry. The company manufactures and sells 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. ECD also pioneers other alternative technologies, including a new type of nonvolatile digital memory technology that is significantly faster, less expensive, and ideal for use in a variety of applications including cell phones, digital cameras and personal computers. For more information, visit www.ovonic.com