SAN JOSE, Calif., May. 27, 2009 /PRNewswire/ -- SunPower Corp. (NASDAQ: SPWRA)(NASDAQ: SPWRB), a manufacturer of high-efficiency solar cells, solar panels and solar systems, today announced its new SunPower T5 Solar Roof Tile (T5 Roof Tile), the solar industry's most powerful roof overlay system. The T5 Roof Tile system approximately doubles the energy generated per square meter compared to systems that are mounted onto flat commercial rooftops. Combined with SunPower's high-performance, 96-cell solar panels, the T5 Roof Tile produces the industry's maximum solar energy per roof and greatest energy savings.
Tilted at a five-degree angle, the T5 Roof Tile is the industry's first all-in-one, non-penetrating photovoltaic rooftop product that combines solar panel, frame and mounting system into a single pre-engineered unit. The T5 Roof Tile solar tiles interlock for wind resistance and secure installation. The patented design is adaptable to virtually any flat or low-slope rooftop.
"It was SunPower technology that established the commercial rooftop solar market more than a decade ago and today we continue to build on more than ten years of experience delivering reliable, affordable solar power systems," said SunPower's CEO, Tom Werner. "The introduction of the T5 Roof Tile will enable us to extend our leadership in system innovation and offer the benefits of solar to an even wider array of customer building types. We design our solar system technology for lower cost, faster delivery of local, secure clean energy that will accelerate solar green job opportunities."
"The development of the T5 Roof Tile is a direct result of the investment by the U.S. Department of Energy (D.O.E.) through its Solar America Initiative program," said Bill Mulligan, SunPower's vice president of technology and development. "The T5 Roof Tile was developed and delivered to customers less than two years after SunPower began receiving D.O.E. research and development funding."
The T5 Roof Tile all-in-one mounting system and frame is made from an engineered glass-filled polymer that is non-reactive, eliminating the need for electrical grounding of the array. This makes the T5 Roof Tile easier and faster to install than other rooftop systems. Its aerodynamic design is resistant to high winds, and the strong, smooth-edged, lightweight polymer material protects the roof for long-term durability. Since the T5 Roof Tile is stacked for shipping, more kilowatts per pound can be transported using less packaging, resulting in lower distribution costs.
The T5 Roof Tile system integrates a frame and mounting system with SunPower's high-performance, 96-cell solar panels, including the recently announced SunPower 315 Solar Panel. This combination empowers commercial customers to generate the greatest return by maximizing solar gain from each roof.
The T5 Roof Tile is available in the U.S. immediately and can be ordered in Europe during the third quarter of 2009.
About SunPower
SunPower Corporation (NASDAQ: SPWRA)(NASDAQ: SPWRB) 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, Australia, and Asia. For more information, visit www.sunpowercorp.com.
SUNPOWER and the SUNPOWER logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of SunPower Corporation. All rights reserved.
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SOURCE: SunPower Corporation
Web Site: http://www.sunpowercorp.com/