SAN JOSE, Calif., March 2, 2009 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX News Network/ -- SunPower Corp. (Nasdaq: SPWRA, SPWRB), a Silicon Valley-based manufacturer of high-efficiency solar cells, solar panels and solar systems, today announced that renewable energy veteran Jean M. Wilson has joined SunPower as its vice president and general manager of utilities and power plants.
In this new strategic role, Wilson will lead SunPower's North American utility and power plant division, overseeing project development, utility and Independent Power Producer partnerships and marketing, and EPC (engineering, procurement and construction) and component sales.
"Jean brings a wealth of experience to SunPower from her nearly two decades in the wind development business," said Howard Wenger, SunPower's president, global business units. "Jean will drive our growth plans across the utility and power plant business in North America as we capitalize on the opportunities established by state renewable portfolio standards and federal support for solar power. She joins SunPower as the third recent leader from a power industry background in addition to Dennis Arriola, our CFO who joined us from Sempra Energy's utilities, and Tom McDaniel, our Board member who joined us after thirty-seven years at the Edison International companies."
Wilson most recently served as senior vice president, renewable energy at PPM Energy (now Iberdrola Renewables). She led a team of more than 130 professionals in the acquisition and development of over 2,400 megawatts of wind power projects, and in the growth of a wind and solar power project pipeline in excess of 18,000 megawatts. Wilson was responsible for the full value chain of PPM renewable energy business, including land acquisition, engineering, procurement, permitting, development, origination, construction, O&M (operation and maintenance) and asset management for its North American renewable energy business. Earlier at PPM, Wilson held the position of vice president, renewable business development, where she managed a team of professionals in the acquisition and greenfield development of wind power projects in Canada and the United States. Prior to this, Wilson was director, business development, green power for PacifiCorp; director of marketing for Northwest Power Enterprises, Inc.; and director of business development for Kenetech Windpower, all located in Portland, Oregon.
Wilson earned a master's degree in business administration from Stanford University and a bachelor's of science degree in finance from the University of Southern California. She is a member of the Board of the Oregon Build Environment and Sustainable Technologies Center, and a former member of the Renewable Energy Policy Project Board.
SunPower designed and built a 14-megawatt solar system, the largest in the U.S., at the Nellis Air Force Base near Las Vegas, Nevada. The company is currently building a 25-megawatt power plant in DeSoto County for Florida Power & Light Company, which will be completed in 2009. SunPower is contracted with Pacific Gas and Electric Company to begin delivery of electricity as early as 2010 from the company's California Valley Solar Ranch, a planned 250-megawatt plant. SunPower typically works with developers, independent power producers, utilities and financial partners who buy power plants developed by SunPower.
About SunPower
SunPower Corp. (Nasdaq: SPWRA, 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.
Forward-Looking Statement
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 "will," "to begin," and "planned" to identify forward-looking statements in this press release, including forward-looking statements regarding: (a) our growth plans across the utility and power plant business in North America, (b) the company completing a 25-megawatt power plant in DeSoto County for Florida Power & Light Company in 2009; and (c) the company beginning delivery of electricity as early as 2010 from its California Valley Solar Ranch, a planned 250-megawatt plant. 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) construction difficulties or potential delays in the project implementation process; (ii) unanticipated delays or difficulties securing necessary permits, licenses or other governmental approvals; (iii) the risk of continuation of supply of products and components from suppliers; (iv) unanticipated problems with deploying the system on the sites; (v) actual electricity generation; and (vi) other risks described in the company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 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.
SOURCE SunPower Corp.
http://www.sunpowercorp.com/
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