SAN JOSE – On the rooftop of The Tech Museum of Innovation, in the heart of the Silicon Valley, San Jose Mayor Chuck Reed, SunPower Corporation CEO Tom Werner, and The Tech President Peter Friess today signed an agreement to install a photovoltaic solar electric system on Parkside Hall.
“Every 44 minutes, the sun provides enough energy to meet the entire world’s energy requirements for a year, but harnessing this natural power source remains one of the great engineering challenges of our time,” said Peter Friess, President of The Tech. “Representing the ‘spirit of Silicon Valley’ it is The Tech’s duty to apply the latest environmental innovations to our operations so that we can lead by example, and we could not have done this without the great support of Mayor Reed and SunPower.”
The Tech Museum will purchase a 169 kilowatt solar system through a Power Purchase Agreement that will allow it to benefit from onsite solar electricity generation without an up-front capital investment. The museum will be able to take advantage of federal and state tax incentives as well. The system will be installed in early Spring 2008 and is expected to avoid approximately two million pounds of carbon dioxide annually associated with conventional power generation.
Mayor Chuck Reed declared the need for City facilities to become more energy efficient during his March 7, 2007 State of the City speech, specifically suggesting the installation of solar power on buildings like The Tech.
“Silicon Valley technologies have improved the world’s living standards for many generations now. Solar is one area where San Jose leads the world,” said Mayor Chuck Reed. “This partnership between The Tech Museum and SunPower will be a model for many more such ventures in the years ahead. San Jose companies are leading America’s green revolution and using innovative technologies to create an environmentally sustainable future.”
SunPower CEO Tom Werner is proud to announce this pioneering collaboration with The Tech. He represents a technology company that designs, manufactures and delivers the highest efficiency solar electric technology worldwide that is based on more than 20 years of innovation.
“SunPower’s high-tech solar systems deliver smart solutions to our customers offering lower electric bills, meaningful financial returns, and maximum carbon emissions savings,” said Werner. “The Tech Musuem’s SunPower solar system will showcase solar power in Downtown San Jose, demonstrating how affordable clean, reliable solar power is today. SunPower is proud of our partnership with The Tech and the City of San Jose. We commend the Mayor’s leadership in taking responsible steps to address our rising energy demands and climate change.”
Mayor Reed, will announce his Green Vision for San Jose on October 5, 2007, which will set bold goals for environmental innovation and economic development.
About the Tech Museum of Innovation
The Tech Museum is a hands-on technology and science museum for people of all ages and backgrounds. Located in San Jose, California – the Capital of Silicon Valley – its mission, as a public-benefit corporation, is to inspire the innovator in everyone. Through hands-on exhibits, educational programs, the annual Tech Challenge team competition for youth, and the internationally recognized Tech Museum Awards, presented by Applied Mat
erials, Inc., the Tech Museum of Innovation honors the past , celebrates the present, and encourages the development of innovative ideas for a more promising future. For more information about the Tech Museum of Innovation, visit www.thetech.org