SunPower to Build Three Solar Power Plants in Spain Totaling 21-Megawatts for Naturener Group
SunPower Continues to Expand its Footprint into the European Market
Madrid, Spain, Nov 08, 2007
Source: SunPower Corp. / press release
http://investors.sunpowercorp.com/releasedetail.cfm?ReleaseID=274952
SunPower Corp. (Nasdaq: SPWR), a Silicon Valley-based manufacturer of high-efficiency solar cells, solar panels and solar systems, today announced that its Spanish subsidiary will engineer, procure equipment for and construct three solar electric power plants totaling approximately 21-megawatts in the Castilla La Mancha region of Spain. Corporate affiliates of The Naturener Group, a Spanish-based company, will own the three solar power plants located in Tinajeros (Albacete), Manzanares and Almuradiel (Ciudad Real), just southeast of Madrid. They are expected to be financed by a Spanish bank syndicate.
SunPower will utilize its proprietary SunPower(R) Tracker solar tracking system at each of the three sites, covering a total of approximately 90 hectares. The SunPower Tracker is an industry-leading solution for deploying large-scale solar electric systems and is today’s most reliable and proven solar tracking technology. Its unique design enables solar panels to automatically follow the sun throughout the day to maximize energy generation — delivering up to 25 percent more power output than traditional fixed systems.
“We are pleased that the Spanish market continues its rapid adoption of solar power and that Naturener has chosen SunPower’s innovative solar tracker technology as part of our turnkey solar solution,” said Marco Antonio Northland, general manager of SunPower’s European operations. “The SunPower Tracker solar power system is a proven and reliable solution for maximizing the highest energy delivery, while optimizing land use and reducing related costs.”
With the signing of the construction contracts, Naturener will consolidate its solar power projects in Spain. “We anticipate that these three solar power plants will be in operation by the summer of 2008 and will add them to our existing renewable portfolio of hydro and wind generation,” said Rafael Sanchez-Castillo, CEO of Naturener Group. “We are pleased to continue our expansion of renewable energy in the Spanish and North American markets.”
SunPower now has an aggregate of approximately 140-megawatts in SunPower tracker technology under contract or previously sold in Spain.
About SunPower
SunPower Corporation (Nasdaq: SPWR) designs, manufactures and delivers high-performance solar electric systems worldwide for residential, commercial and utility-scale power plant customers. SunPower high-efficiency solar cells and solar panels generate up to 50 percent more power than conventional solar technologies and have a uniquely attractive, all-black appearance. With headquarters in San Jose, Calif., SunPower has offices in North America, Europe and Asia. For more information, visit http://www.sunpowercorp.com. SunPower is a majority-owned subsidiary of Cypress Semiconductor Corp. (NYSE: CY).
About Naturener
Naturener Group is a pure player in the generation of renewable energy. It has hydro, wind and solar photovoltaic assets in Spain and North America through its subsidiaries NATURENER USA and NATURENER CANADA. The company is headquartered in Madrid, Spain, with U.S. offices in San Francisco, Calif., and Canadian offices in Calgary, Alberta.