Energy Conversion Devices
Corporate brand
UnclaimedDefunct American renewable-energy and materials-science company known for flexible amorphous-silicon solar laminates and Ovonic energy-storage technologies.
Last updated October 14, 2026
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Overview
Energy Conversion Devices, Inc. (ECD) was an American technology company founded in 1960 by scientist and entrepreneur Stanford R. Ovshinsky. The company developed commercial applications for amorphous and other advanced materials, with a long-term focus on energy technologies that could reduce pollution and dependence on conventional fossil fuels. Its name became associated with “Ovonics,” a term derived from Ovshinsky and electronics and used for technologies based on materials whose electrical properties can be changed under defined conditions. ECD’s most visible business was thin-film photovoltaics. Through its wholly owned subsidiary United Solar Ovonic, commonly known as Uni-Solar, the company manufactured flexible photovoltaic laminates based on amorphous silicon. Unlike rigid crystalline-silicon modules, the laminates were lightweight, elongated, and designed to be adhered to compatible surfaces. This made them suitable for flat commercial roofs, roofing membranes, motorhomes, truck and trailer cabs, and other applications where weight, flexibility, or integration with the building envelope mattered. The products were marketed under the UNI-SOLAR name and were also supplied to roofing and building-envelope companies for incorporation into their systems. United Solar was described as the world’s largest producer of flexible solar panels at its peak and as a major U.S. thin-film manufacturer during the late 2000s. The photovoltaic operation was supported by Solar Integrated, a wholly owned engineering, procurement, and construction subsidiary that handled system design, purchasing, installation, operations, maintenance, and related project administration. ECD therefore participated not only in manufacturing but also in the delivery of integrated rooftop and building-integrated photovoltaic systems. Manufacturing and corporate activity were centered in Michigan, including facilities in Auburn Hills and a later production campus in Greenville. ECD also commercialized energy-storage and hydrogen-related technologies. Its Ovonic Battery business developed nickel–metal hydride batteries and related materials and processes. These batteries were used in vehicles including the Chevrolet S-10 EV and General Motors EV1, and the company’s technology was relevant to hybrid-vehicle and other transportation applications. Additional activities included hydrogen storage using metal hydrides, fuel-cell development, and materials research. Through subsidiaries and investments, ECD was also connected to Ovonic Battery, Cobasys, Ovonic Hydrogen Systems, Ovonic Fuel Cell Company, Ovonic Media, Ovonyx, and other ventures involving advanced materials, memory, and information technology. The company’s battery intellectual property became the subject of significant commercial and legal controversy. General Motors acquired a controlling interest in the battery business in the 1990s, while later transactions involving Texaco and Chevron led to the Cobasys joint venture between Chevron and ECD’s battery interests. Disputes concerned contractual obligations, control of nickel–metal hydride battery patents, licensing, and the availability of large-format batteries for emerging plug-in vehicle projects. ECD disputed Chevron’s 2007 legal claim regarding its obligations. Financial and operational pressures ultimately overwhelmed the company’s solar business. On February 14, 2012, ECD, United Solar Ovonic, and Solar Integrated Technologies filed for protection under U.S. bankruptcy law in the Eastern District of Michigan. In the same month, ECD agreed to sell its majority-owned Ovonic Battery subsidiary to BASF Corporation for a reported gross cash purchase price of $58 million before specified adjustments. The bankruptcy marked the end of ECD as an operating public renewable-energy company. Its history nevertheless remains significant in thin-film solar, amorphous-materials research, nickel–metal hydride batteries, and the development of flexible photovoltaic products.
History
Stanford R. Ovshinsky founded Energy Conversion Devices in 1960 to pursue research into amorphous semiconductors and related materials. His work explored ways in which unusual material structures could be used to create electronic and energy technologies. The term “Ovonics,” formed from Ovshinsky’s name and electronics, became associated with this research program and with materials whose electrical behavior could be altered under particular conditions. ECD gradually developed a portfolio spanning energy generation, energy storage, hydrogen, and information technology. Its materials-science approach was intended to turn laboratory discoveries into commercial products and manufacturing processes. The company’s best-known generation business emerged through United Solar Ovonic, a wholly owned subsidiary that developed thin-film amorphous-silicon photovoltaic laminates. These products used multiple amorphous-silicon cell layers and flexible encapsulation, allowing them to be installed on surfaces where conventional glass modules were inconvenient or structurally unsuitable. During the 2000s, United Solar expanded its Michigan manufacturing footprint and became a prominent producer of flexible solar laminates. The products were used on flat roofs, vehicles, trailers, and building-envelope systems. Their most important commercial proposition was integration: the laminates could be bonded to roofing systems or other supporting surfaces rather than installed as conventional freestanding panels. ECD also owned Solar Integrated, an EPC and services company responsible for design, procurement, construction, operation, and maintenance of photovoltaic installations. This gave the group capabilities across manufacturing and project delivery. ECD’s second major area was energy storage. Ovonic Battery developed nickel–metal hydride battery technology and associated intellectual property. The technology was used in several electric and hybrid vehicle programs, including the Chevrolet S-10 EV and General Motors EV1. In the 1990s, General Motors acquired a controlling interest in the battery development and manufacturing operations. Subsequent transactions involving Texaco and Chevron reorganized the business and eventually produced Cobasys, a joint venture between Chevron and ECD’s battery interests. The Cobasys relationship generated sustained controversy over control and licensing of large-format nickel–metal hydride batteries. Critics argued that the technology was not broadly available to smaller developers seeking batteries for plug-in hybrid conversions or new vehicle programs. Commercial plans involving vehicle manufacturers were announced at different points, but several projects did not proceed or did not receive the expected battery supply. Chevron later asserted that ECD had failed to meet contractual obligations, while ECD contested the allegation. These disputes became part of a wider debate about whether nickel–metal hydride technology could support larger-scale electrified transportation. Alongside solar and batteries, ECD’s subsidiaries and affiliates worked on hydrogen storage, fuel cells, advanced materials, memory-related technologies, and media applications. The company’s structure included wholly or partly owned interests in Ovonic Hydrogen Systems, Ovonic Fuel Cell Company, Ovonic Media, Ovonyx, Ovonic Cognitive Computer, and other ventures. The breadth of this portfolio reflected Ovshinsky’s strategy of applying materials science across multiple clean-energy and electronics markets, although it also left the company exposed to the capital requirements and commercial uncertainty of several emerging technologies. ECD’s solar operations encountered severe market and financial pressure in the early 2010s. On February 14, 2012, Energy Conversion Devices and the principal United Solar and Solar Integrated entities filed for bankruptcy protection in Michigan. Around the same period, ECD sold its majority-owned Ovonic Battery Company to BASF Corporation for a reported gross cash price of $58 million before adjustments. The bankruptcy and related asset transactions ended ECD’s existence as an operating public company. Its legacy survives in the commercialization of flexible thin-film photovoltaics, the development of Ovonic materials technologies, and the use of nickel–metal hydride batteries in early electric and hybrid vehicles.
- 2012
Ovonic Battery is sold and ECD files for bankruptcy
[1]ECD sold its majority-owned Ovonic Battery subsidiary to BASF and, on February 14, filed for bankruptcy protection together with United Solar Ovonic and Solar Integrated Technologies.
- 2009
Cobasys is acquired by SB LiMotive
[1]Cobasys was acquired by SB LiMotive, a Samsung–Bosch joint venture, in a transaction that changed the ownership of the operating battery business while licensing arrangements remained relevant to the underlying technology.
- 2007
United Solar expands in Michigan
[1]United Solar developed an additional manufacturing campus in Greenville, Michigan, during a period of expansion in flexible thin-film photovoltaics.
- 2007
ECD Ovonics stock trades under ENER
[1]ECD Ovonics was listed on NASDAQ under the symbol ENER and also traded on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange.
- 2005
Ovshinsky enters the Solar Energy Hall of Fame
[1]Stanford Ovshinsky was inducted into the U.S. Solar Energy Hall of Fame.
- 2003
Cobasys is formed
[1]Texaco Ovonics Battery Systems was reorganized into Cobasys, a 50/50 joint venture involving Chevron and ECD Ovonics.
- 2000
Battery ownership moves through Texaco and Chevron
[1]Texaco announced the purchase of General Motors’ share in GM Ovonics, followed by Chevron’s acquisition of Texaco.
- 1999
Ovshinsky is recognized by Time
[1]Time magazine recognized Stanford Ovshinsky as a “Hero for the Planet” for his work in clean-energy technologies.
- 1998
Ovonic batteries enter electric-vehicle applications
[1]Ovonic nickel–metal hydride batteries were used in the Chevrolet S-10 EV.
- 1994
General Motors acquires control of the battery business
[1]General Motors acquired a controlling interest in Ovonic battery development and manufacturing activities, including important nickel–metal hydride intellectual property.
Products and positioning
ECD positioned itself as a materials-science and renewable-energy innovator focused on practical applications of amorphous semiconductors, thin-film solar, advanced batteries, and hydrogen technologies. Its strongest commercial differentiation was the ability to produce lightweight, flexible solar laminates for roofs and other surfaces that were difficult to serve with conventional rigid modules.
Thin-film photovoltaics
UNI-SOLAR flexible photovoltaic laminates
Flexible photovoltaic laminates based on amorphous-silicon solar cells. The products used long, narrow formats and could be adhered to suitable roofs, vehicle surfaces, trailer cabs, and other structures. Their lightweight construction and compatibility with building-envelope materials distinguished them from conventional rigid glass-and-frame modules. United Solar’s laminates used multiple amorphous-silicon cell junctions and durable polymer encapsulation.
Building-integrated photovoltaics
United Solar Ovonic building-integrated photovoltaics
Solar laminates and related photovoltaic products designed for direct integration with roofing membranes, metal roofs, and other building-envelope systems. The business supplied manufacturers and installers and pursued rooftop, commercial-building, mobile, and specialized applications, including development work for space-related uses.
Rechargeable batteries
Ovonic nickel–metal hydride batteries
Rechargeable nickel–metal hydride battery technology developed for electric vehicles, hybrid vehicles, and other energy-storage applications. Ovonic batteries were used in vehicles including the Chevrolet S-10 EV and General Motors EV1. The technology portfolio included materials, cell designs, manufacturing know-how, and related patent rights.
Hydrogen and fuel-cell systems
Hydrogen storage and fuel-cell technologies
ECD-affiliated activities included metal-hydride hydrogen storage, hydrogen-fueled transportation concepts, and fuel-cell development. These efforts sought to store hydrogen in solid materials and apply the resulting systems to clean transportation and energy-generation uses.
Solar engineering and construction
Solar Integrated photovoltaic services
Solar Integrated provided engineering, procurement, and construction capabilities around Uni-Solar products. Its responsibilities included system design, administration, purchasing, construction, operations, and maintenance, allowing the wider ECD group to deliver complete photovoltaic projects rather than only supplying modules.
Controversies
2007
Chevron–ECD Ovonics battery-contract dispute
Chevron filed a legal claim alleging that ECD Ovonics had not satisfied contractual obligations associated with their battery relationship. ECD disputed the allegation. The dispute formed part of wider controversy over control, licensing, and commercial access to large-format nickel–metal hydride battery technology.
Brand decisions
2012
Sell Ovonic Battery to BASFM&ABackground
ECD was under substantial financial pressure and was restructuring its portfolio of energy businesses.
Action taken
ECD sold its majority-owned Ovonic Battery Company subsidiary to BASF Corporation.
Aftermath
The transaction transferred the battery business during the period in which ECD and key subsidiaries entered bankruptcy proceedings.
Reported gross purchase price. $58 million (2012 transaction; before transaction fees, minority participations, working-capital and other adjustments)
2012
File for bankruptcy protectionOtherBackground
ECD and its solar subsidiaries faced financial and operating pressure in the thin-film photovoltaic market.
Action taken
Energy Conversion Devices, United Solar Ovonic, and Solar Integrated Technologies filed for bankruptcy protection in the Eastern District of Michigan on February 14, 2012.
Aftermath
The filings ended ECD’s operation as a public renewable-energy company and led to the disposition or restructuring of its businesses.
2003
Reorganize the battery business as CobasysStrategyBackground
The battery business had passed through ownership involving General Motors, Texaco, and Chevron, while ECD retained a significant technology and business interest.
Action taken
ECD’s battery interests and Chevron’s related operations were reorganized into Cobasys, structured as a 50/50 joint venture.
Aftermath
The arrangement concentrated commercialization and licensing of large nickel–metal hydride systems within the joint venture and contributed to later disputes over access to the technology.
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