Energy Conversion Devices Inc. [ENER] announced that it has been awarded a $750,000, two-year, cost-sharing contract by the U.S. Air Force to further advance its proprietary photovoltaic (PV) space technology. United Solar Systems Corp., will work with ECD in fulfillment of the contract.

ECD and United Solar have developed a technology to manufacture high-efficiency amorphous silicon alloy solar modules. The products manufactured are lightweight, radiation hard and perform well at high temperatures which makes them ideal for space applications.

Under this contract, United Solar and ECD will develop laser-integrated ultralight, thin-film amorphous silicon-based solar panels on Kapton, a lightweight, 1-to-2 mil thick plastic substrate, for auxiliary spacecraft power systems. The technology being developed is capable of providing 2,500 watts per kilogram, which is dramatically higher than 30-50 watts per kilogram currently available. This will offer immediate savings given launch cost of approximately $10,000 per pound, resulting in roughly $500,000 in savings per satellite.