SAN JOSE, Calif., Aug 10, 2010 /PRNewswire via COMTEX News Network/ -- SunPower Corp. (Nasdaq: SPWRA, SPWRB) today announced it has signed an agreement with Arizona Public Service (APS) to design and construct a 15-megawatt (AC) solar photovoltaic power system at Luke Air Force Base in Glendale, Arizona. Scheduled for completion in the summer of 2011, it is expected to be the largest solar power installation at a U.S. government facility. Approximately 550 local jobs will be created during construction.
"Installed on 101 acres of underutilized land, this system will generate the equivalent of 50 percent of the annual energy requirements for Luke Air Force Base," said Air Force Lt. Col. John Thomas, 56th Civil Engineer Squadron commander at Luke. "Benefits of the project to the American taxpayers include no initial out-of-pocket expenses to the Air Force, significant long-term savings on electricity costs, and the increased energy independence associated with using reliable, emission-free solar power."
"APS is committed to building a sustainable future, which includes the expansion of our renewable energy portfolio," said Brad Albert, general manager of Renewable Energy and Resource Acquisition of APS. "This plant will not only bring more clean renewable energy to the grid, but will also create jobs during its construction."
APS will own the system that SunPower designs, builds and maintains, and sell electricity to Luke Air Force Base under a long-term agreement. The system will use high-efficiency SunPower solar panels, the most efficient solar panels on the market, with the SunPower Tracker(R) system. The Tracker follows the sun's movement during the day, increasing sunlight capture by up to 25 percent over conventional fixed-tilt systems, while significantly reducing land use requirements.
The system will generate the equivalent energy required for 3,750 Arizona homes, avoiding more than 19,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions each year, according the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates.
"As a result of our previous experience working with the U.S. Air Force at Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada, as well as with other government agencies such as the General Services Administration and the U.S. Navy, SunPower has developed federal procurement capabilities that help agencies procure reliable, high performance solar systems utilizing a variety of mechanisms," said Karen Butterfield, SunPower's director of federal accounts. "Reliability and quality are the hallmarks of SunPower systems. We look forward to working with the APS and Luke teams on this very exciting project."
Construction is expected to commence in January once environmental assessments, permitting and site preparation is complete.
About SunPower
Founded in 1985, SunPower Corp. (Nasdaq: SPWRA, SPWRB) designs, manufactures and delivers the planet's most powerful solar technology broadly available today. Residential, business, government and utility customers rely on the company's experience and proven results to maximize return on investment. 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 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 "expected" to identify forward-looking statements in this press release, including forward-looking statements regarding the expected commencement and completion of construction of the power system at Luke Air Force Base. 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 site; and (v) other risks described in the company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended January 3, 2010, 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.
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