BELMONT, Western Australia, Feb. 18, 2009 /PRNewswire/ -- SunPower Corp. (NASDAQ: SPWRA)(NASDAQ: SPWRB), a manufacturer of high-efficiency, solar cells, solar panels, and solar systems, today announced it has completed construction on a 305-kilowatt SunPower solar power system atop the roof of the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Alice Springs, Northern Territory. Invest North Pty Ltd. is the owner of the project, which is the largest roof-mounted solar power system in Australia.
"We are proud that Invest North chose SunPower's high-efficiency solar panels to help power its flagship hotel in Australia," said Bob Blakiston, managing director of SunPower Australia. "This installation is a testament to the growing adoption of solar energy on commercial and public buildings. The Crowne Plaza Hotel's solar electric system is expected to provide between 40 and 80 percent of the hotel's power requirements, depending on the time of year."
The Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage, and Arts (DEWHA) provided financial backing for this project as part of Australia's AUD $94 million Solar Cities Program.
"Through the support of the Rudd Labor government, projects such as this set a clear standard for what is expected of Australian companies when reducing their environmental impact," added Blakiston.
SunPower entered the emerging Australian solar market in 2008, with the acquisition of Solar Sales Pty Ltd. Solar Sales had partnered with SunPower for several years prior as a leading systems integrator and product distribution organization.
About SunPower Corp.
SunPower Corp. (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 http://www.sunpowercorp.com/.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are statements that do not represent historical facts and may be based on underlying assumptions. The company uses words and phrases such as "growing" and "is expected" to identify forward-looking statements in this press release, including forward-looking statements regarding: (a) the growing adoption of solar energy on commercial and public buildings; and (b) the system providing between 40 and 80 percent of the hotel's power requirements. Such forward-looking statements are based on information available to the company as of the date of this release and involve a number of risks and uncertainties, some beyond the company's control, that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated by these forward-looking statements, including risks and uncertainties such as: (i) actual electricity generation and (ii) other risks described in the company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 28, 2008, and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing the company's views as of any subsequent date, and the company is under no obligation to, and expressly disclaims any responsibility to, update or alter its forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
SunPower is a registered trademark of SunPower Corp. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
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SOURCE: SunPower Corporation
CONTACT: Ingrid Ekstrom, +1-415-531-2250, iekstrom@sunpowercorp.com, or
Bob Blakiston, +61-8-9477-5888, Bob.blakiston@sunpowercorp.com, both of
SunPower Corporation
Web Site: http://www.sunpowercorp.com/