SAN JOSE, Calif., Sept 24, 2007 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX News Network/ --
SunPower Corporation (Nasdaq: SPWR), a Silicon Valley-based manufacturer of high-efficiency solar cells, solar panels and solar systems, today announced that three solar industry veterans, Terry Jester, Ed Smeloff, and James Torpey were named to SunPower's management team.
Jester joins SunPower with more than 27 years of experience in the solar industry. She will lead the team managing SunPower's recently awarded U.S. Department of Energy Solar America Initiative contract, coordinating project execution, scheduling and reporting. Jester has an extensive background in crystalline silicon and thin-film solar cells, as well as experience across the solar value chain, including ingot growth, wafering, cell processing, module manufacturing, and solar product development. Previously, she was senior director of engineering and operations at SolarWorld, where she oversaw factory production and manufacturing. She also has held engineering and management positions at Shell Solar, Siemens Solar and Arco Solar, driving research and development for each of these organizations. Jester chairs the California State University, Northridge's College of Engineering and Computer Science Industrial Advisory Board. She is also a member of the National Center for Photovoltaics Advisory Board. She holds three patents and has been published in more than 50 publications on solar technology, manufacturing and safety.
Smeloff joins SunPower as senior manager, Utility Project Sales, and is responsible for developing large solar projects for electric utilities for SunPower's North American Systems division. His expertise includes more than 20 years in solar and energy efficiency project development, energy policy, and strategic planning and program management. Most recently, Smeloff was senior manager for project sales at Sharp Solar, where he successfully drove module sales for commercial projects. Previously, he was assistant general manager for power policy, planning and resource development at the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission, where was instrumental in developing the 670 kW SunPower solar electric system on the Moscone Convention Center rooftop. Smeloff began his power industry career as a member of the Sacramento Municipal Utility District Board of Directors, where he transitioned the agency into one of the nation's leading utilities in developing effective energy efficiency programs.
Torpey joins SunPower as its newly appointed director of market development. He brings two decades of power industry expertise to SunPower including extensive experience in solar and renewable energy certificate markets. In his market development role, Torpey will be responsible for working with public policy officials to grow solar markets in the eastern U.S. In addition, he will have responsibility for Sunpower's solar certificate trading activity in the same region. Most recently, he was president of Madison Energy Consultants (MEC), a firm that has helped develop supportive policy environments at the State and National levels to enable clean, distributed resources to become a significant factor in the U.S. energy supply. Prior to that, Torpey spent more than 20 years in the electric utility industry, serving in a number of management posts, where he led the development of solar independent power plants in California. He has served as the National Chairman of the Solar Electric Power Association, and the Policy Committee Chair for the Mid-Atlantic Solar Energy Industries Association.
"As we drive our business to scale, we are excited to draw exceptional talent and expertise from across the solar industry," said Tom Werner, chief executive officer of SunPower Corp. "Terry, Ed and Jim add tremendous depth to our management team and we welcome them to SunPower."
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).
SunPower is a registered trademark of SunPower Corp. Cypress is a registered trademark of Cypress Semiconductor Corp. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
SOURCE SunPower Corporation
http://www.sunpowercorp.com/
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