SunPower Announces World-Record Solar Cell Efficiency
Full-Scale Prototype Produced at 23.4 Percent
San Jose, CA., May 12, 2008
Source: SunPower Corp. press release/PRNewswire
http://investors.sunpowercorp.com/releasedetail.cfm?ReleaseID=309613
SunPower Corporation (Nasdaq: SPWR) a Silicon Valley-based manufacturer of high-efficiency solar cells, solar panels and solar systems, announced today that it has produced a full-scale, five inch prototype solar cell with an efficiency of 23.4 percent. This is a world-record for a large area solar cell. SunPower has reported improvements of its cell efficiency in the laboratory and in mass production since its first all-back contact solar cell prototype in 2003.
“This is a step function increase from our 22 percent efficient Gen 2 technology, which has been in mass production since last year,” said Tom Werner, CEO of SunPower Corp. “Credit for this achievement goes to our world- class research and development team led by Dick Swanson and Bill Mulligan, as well as to our talented engineering group.”
“We are pleased to have demonstrated early success with our Gen 3 technology,” said Bill Mulligan, vice president of technology and development at SunPower Corporation. “This record efficiency solar cell, which is expected to be commercially available in approximately two years, extends SunPower’s leadership position and is a key component of our plan to reduce system cost by 50 percent by the year 2012.”
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 www.sunpowercorp.com. SunPower is a majority-owned subsidiary of Cypress Semiconductor Corp. (NYSE: CY).