SAN JOSE, Calif., Aug. 14, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Solar
technology design, manufacturing and installation methods have come
a long way in just 20 years, and as a trailblazing solar energy
company, SunPower has witnessed the trajectory first-hand.
Globally, there is now 305 gigawatts (GW) of solar capacity, up
from around 50 GW in 2010 and virtually nothing at the turn of the
millennium.
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Innovation is central to SunPower's DNA, and with years of
experience, researchers have been emboldened to create new
manufacturing technologies and processes while continuing to break
solar panel efficiency records that fuel creative solar
applications – from solar power racecars to airplanes. The nucleus
of SunPower's technological solar panel expertise is headquartered
in San Jose, Calif., on the
SunPower Campus.
"We continue to make the world's best solar panels with
technology developed and tested right here in Silicon Valley," said
Tom Werner, SunPower president and
CEO. "These efforts result in domestic job creation, capital
investments from our equipment manufacturers and dealers, and more
affordable solar energy options for homes and businesses across the
U.S. and around the world."
This summer, SunPower engineers began producing the company's
latest generation of solar cells in a pilot production line
installed in the heart of Silicon Valley. The research facility,
which runs from silicon to panel, utilizes a revolutionary
manufacturing approach. The cells extend on the leading X-Series
technology which currently achieves a record 25 percent efficiency
in mass production, further positioning SunPower on the cutting
edge of innovation. The line, which has begun production,
will ultimately ramp to producing cells and panels used in both
residential and commercial applications. First planned customers
include school districts interested in carport applications and
residential rooftops. Construction and installation is slated for
later this year.
SunPower has a long history of developing and ramping
world-record breaking technologies in California and is investing even further to
make solar cost-competitive with all U.S. power sources. The
SunPower® Signature™ Black solar panels, which are researched,
developed, and now also produced at SunPower's research facility,
are being extensively tested to ensure it is the world's most
reliable product, backed by SunPower's industry-leading 25-year
Combined Power and Product Warranty.
The new pilot manufacturing location will enhance SunPower's
ability to quickly and cost-effectively scale and supply panels to
solar installations at homes, businesses and schools throughout the
growing U.S. solar market.
Silicon Valley Research Facility Quick Facts
- Over 100 people on-site at the research facility, arguably
employing the world's best collection of solar experts.
- Approximately $25 million
invested in the facility within the past 12 months,
demonstrating the commitment to innovation at the site.
- Over 30 parts suppliers and manufacturers, which have
headquarters in 33 U.S. cities across nine states.
o Research facility equipment includes
several high-volume production-sized manufacturing tools and
automation, and specialized testing equipment, sourced from
Boulder, Colo., Hudsonville, Mich., and various parts of
California, Massachusetts, Ohio, Texas,
Illinois and elsewhere.
SunPower's Economic Footprint Across the Country
- Over 1,000 people are employed in SunPower offices and related
facilities in San Jose and
Richmond, Calif., Austin, Texas, and elsewhere.
- Over 12,000 people are indirectly employed by more than 515
independent SunPower dealers across 38 states.
Solar as an Affordable Clean Energy Source
Over the
past decade, the cost of solar in general has dramatically reduced
with scale by more than 50 percent. New manufacturing techniques
employed in SunPower's Silicon Valley research facility aim to
instill customer centricity by focusing on efficiency and
performance of the panel while cutting overall cost to the
consumer.
About SunPower
As one of the world's most innovative
and sustainable energy companies, SunPower (NASDAQ:SPWR) provides a
diverse group of customers with complete solar solutions and
services. Residential customers, businesses, governments, schools
and utilities around the globe rely on SunPower's more than 30
years of proven experience. From the first flip of the switch,
SunPower delivers maximum value and superb performance throughout
the long life of every solar system. Headquartered in Silicon
Valley, SunPower has dedicated, customer-focused employees in
Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, and North and South America. For more information about how
SunPower is changing the way our world is powered,
visit www.sunpower.com.
SunPower's Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within
the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of
1995, including, but not limited to, statements regarding future
production and allocation plans. These forward-looking statements
are based on our current assumptions, expectations, and beliefs and
involve substantial risks and uncertainties that may cause results,
performance, or achievement to materially differ from those
expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Factors
that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are
not limited to: regulatory changes, manufacturing challenges that
could arise, and fluctuations or declines in the performance of our
solar panels and other products and solutions. A detailed
discussion of these factors and other risks that affect our
business is included in filings we make with the Securities and
Exchange Commission (SEC) from time to time, including our most
recent reports on Form 10-K and 10-Q, particularly under the
heading "Risk Factors." Copies of these filings are available
online from the SEC or on the SEC Filings section of our Investor
Relations website at investors.sunpowercorp.com. All
forward-looking statements in this press release are based on
information currently available to us, and we assume no obligation
to update these forward-looking statements in light of new
information or future events.
©2017 SunPower Corporation. All Rights Reserved.
SUNPOWER and the SUNPOWER logo are registered trademarks of
SunPower Corporation in the U.S. and other countries as well.
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SOURCE SunPower Corp.