SunPower Modules Recognized for Superior Quality and Efficiency
Independent Organizations Validate SunPower’s Technology Leadership
SAN JOSE, Calif., April 18, 2007
Source: SunPower Corp. press release
http://investors.sunpowercorp.com/releasedetail.cfm?ReleaseID=238439
SunPower Corporation (Nasdaq: SPWR), a Silicon Valley-based manufacturer of high-efficiency, commercially available solar cells, panels and systems, announced today that Sandia National Laboratories measured SunPower’s SPR-315 solar panel at the highest recorded conversion efficiency ever tested by Sandia for a commercially available, mass produced solar panel. This announcement follows recent renewable energy industry accolades from PHOTON Magazine and Energy Focus Ltd., (ENF) in the first quarter of 2007, underscoring SunPower’s position as the global leader in solar electric technology efficiency, performance and satisfaction.
Sandia National Laboratories, based in Albuquerque, N.M., rated the newly-released SunPower 96-cell solar panel as the most-efficient commercially available, mass-produced panel ever tested at the lab . Sandia measured the actual power output of the SunPower 315 watt nameplate-rated solar panel at 321.65 watts, giving the panel an unprecedented [back-up] module efficiency of 19.7 percent.
PHOTON Magazine’s February 2007 “Buyers Market Module Survey” concluded that SunPower holds the efficiency record for solar cells and panels made in series production. SunPower’s SPR-315 panels utilize the company’s new Gen 2 solar cells, rated at 22 percent conversion efficiency.
ENF published a study that ranked SunPower solar panels the No. 1 photovoltaic brand in the world, owing to a combination of excellent product quality and good value for the money. The ENF study surveyed hundreds of directors of solar photovoltaic installation companies in 45 countries.
Recognition from these highly respected industry labs and analysts validates that SunPower technology offers the highest cell and panel efficiency — up to 50 percent greater than conventional solar technology and up to 100 percent higher than commercial thin film panels. These performance results translate into much lower electric bills and significantly better carbon emissions savings for SunPower customers. Higher efficiency also reduces system installation and sales costs, as more power can be generated with fewer panels compared to conventional or thin film technology.
“We are honored that SunPower products have been awarded top honors by such respected institutions as Sandia National Laboratories, PHOTON Magazine, and ENF, and by the many engineers, solar installers and integrators surveyed,” said Dr. Richard Swanson, SunPower chief technology officer, founder and president. “This recognition underscores the enormous emphasis that we place on product performance — and customers’ appreciation of the value and quality we deliver.”
Multiple SunPower products, including the newly available, high-powered SPR-315 panel, will be showcased at the SolarExpo 2007 event in Verona, Italy, from April 19-21, and the Energy Forum in Barcelona, Spain from April 25-27. SunPower will begin delivering its SPR-315 solar panels to customers this summer.
About SunPower
SunPower Corp. designs, manufactures and markets high-performance solar electric technology worldwide. SunPower’s high-efficiency solar cells and panels generate up to 50 percent more power per unit area than conventional solar technologies and have a uniquely attractive, all-black appearance. SunPower’s PowerLight subsidiary is a leading global provider of large-scale solar power systems, with over 100 megawatts installed. For more information on SunPower please visit the SunPower website at www.sunpowercorp.com . SunPower is a majority-owned subsidiary of Cypress Semiconductor Corp. (NYSE: CY).