SunPower Partners With HP to Boost Energy Conservation Efforts
1-Megawatt Solar Power System and HP Employee Solar Purchase Program Planned
SAN JOSE, Calif., Nov 27, 2007
Source: SunPower Corp. press release
http://investors.sunpowercorp.com/releasedetail.cfm?ReleaseID=278728
SunPower Corporation (Nasdaq: SPWR), a Silicon Valley-based manufacturer of high-efficiency solar cells, solar panels, and solar systems, today announced that it is working with HP to design, install and operate a 1-megawatt solar electric power system on HP’s printer manufacturing facility in San Diego. SunPower is also working with HP to provide HP employees with solar electric power systems on their homes at preferred rates.
Rather than paying for the commercial system itself, HP will purchase solar-generated electricity for the San Diego facility under SunPower Access(TM), a power purchase agreement program. The solar electricity will be competitively priced against retail rates, providing HP a long-term hedge against rising peak power prices. “We applaud HP’s vision for the future as well as their understanding that solar makes good business sense today,” said Tom Werner, chief executive officer of SunPower.
At the San Diego facility, SunPower will install the SunPower(R) T10 Solar Roof Tile commercial roof system, a non-penetrating solar system that tilts at a 10-degree angle to increase energy capture. The system will offset more than one million pounds of carbon dioxide per year, which is equivalent to planting 150 trees annually or removing more than 100 cars off the highways each year.
Later this year, HP plans to make a program available to U.S.-based HP employees which will provide SunPower residential solar electric systems at reduced rates. “HP has set aggressive goals to reduce the environmental impact of our operations and products,” said Pat Tiernan, vice president of Social and Environmental Responsibility at HP. “By generating clean, affordable solar power with this flagship installation in San Diego, our agreement with SunPower will help us achieve those goals with no initial out-of-pocket expenses and long-term savings on electricity costs.”