Exhibit 5.1

                                                February 23, 2005


Energy Conversion Devices, Inc.
2956 Waterview Drive
Rochester Hills, Michigan 48309

   Re:   Statement on Form S-3

Ladies and Gentlemen:

      I am the General Counsel of Energy Conversion Devices, Inc., a Delaware
corporation (the "Company"). I am issuing this opinion in connection with the
preparation of the Registration Statement on Form S-3 (the "Registration
Statement on Form S-3") being filed on the date hereof with the Securities and
Exchange Commission (the "SEC") under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended
(the "Act") relating to the offering from time to time, in one or more
offerings, by certain of the Company's stockholders under Rule 415 of the
General Rules and Regulations of the SEC promulgated under the Act, of an
aggregate of 5,090,000 shares of the Company's Common Stock, par value $.01 per
share (the "Shares").

      In connection with the delivery of this opinion, I have examined originals
or copies of the restated certificate of incorporation of the Company, as
amended and approved by the board of directors and stockholders of the Company,
the bylaws of the Company, as amended and approved by the board of directors and
stockholders of the Company, the Registration Statement on Form S-3, resolutions
adopted by the Board of Directors and stockholders of the Company, and such
other records, agreements, instruments, certificates and other documents of
public officials, the Company and its officers and representatives, and have
made such inquiries of the Company and its officers and representatives, as I
have deemed necessary or appropriate in connection with the opinions set forth
herein. I am familiar with the proceedings taken by the Company in connection
with the authorization, registration, issuance and sale of the Shares. With
respect to certain factual matters material to my opinion, I have relied upon
representations from, or certificates of, officers of the Company. In making
such examination and rendering the opinions set forth below, I have assumed
without verification the genuineness of all signatures, the authenticity of all
documents submitted to me as originals, the authenticity of the originals of
such documents submitted to me as certified copies, the conformity to originals
of all documents submitted to me as copies, the authenticity of the originals of
such latter documents, and that all documents submitted to me as certified
copies are true and correct copies of such originals.

      I am a member of the Bar of the State of Michigan, and I have not
considered, and I express no opinion as to, the laws of any jurisdiction other
than the laws of the United States of America, the State of Michigan and the
General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.






Energy Conversion Devices, Inc.
February 23, 2005
Page 2
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      Based upon and subject to the foregoing qualifications, assumptions and
limitations and the further limitations set forth below, I hereby advise you
that in my opinion, the Shares have been duly authorized by all necessary
corporate action on the part of the Company, have been validly issued and are
fully paid and nonassessable.

      I hereby consent to the filing of this opinion with the SEC as Exhibit 5.1
to the Registration Statement on Form S-3 and to the use of my name under the
heading "Legal Matters" in the prospectus which is part of the Registration
Statement on Form S-3. In giving this consent, I do not hereby admit that I am
in the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Act
or the rules and regulations of the SEC.

      I do not find it necessary for the purposes of this opinion, and
accordingly I do not purport to cover herein, the application of the securities
or "Blue Sky" laws of the various states to the issuance and sale of the Shares.

      This opinion is limited to the specific issues addressed herein, and no
opinion may be inferred or implied beyond that expressly stated herein. I assume
no obligation to revise or supplement this opinion should the General
Corporation Law of the State of Delaware be changed by legislative action,
judicial decision or otherwise.

      This opinion is furnished to you in connection with the filing of the
Registration Statement on Form S-3 and is not to be used, circulated, quoted or
otherwise relied upon for any other purpose.


                                          Very truly yours,



                                          /s/ Roger John Lesinski
                                          -----------------------------
                                          Roger John Lesinski
                                          General Counsel