SAN JOSE, Calif., April 18, 2007 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX News Network/ -- SunPower Corporation (Nasdaq: SPWR), a Silicon Valley-based manufacturer of high-efficiency, commercially available solar cells, panels and systems, announced today that Sandia National Laboratories measured SunPower's SPR-315 solar panel at the highest recorded conversion efficiency ever tested by Sandia for a commercially available, mass produced solar panel. This announcement follows recent renewable energy industry accolades from PHOTON Magazine and Energy Focus Ltd., (ENF) in the first quarter of 2007, underscoring SunPower's position as the global leader in solar electric technology efficiency, performance and satisfaction.
Sandia National Laboratories, based in Albuquerque, N.M., rated the newly-released SunPower 96-cell solar panel as the most-efficient commercially available, mass-produced panel ever tested at the lab . Sandia measured the actual power output of the SunPower 315 watt nameplate-rated solar panel at 321.65 watts, giving the panel an unprecedented module efficiency of 19.7 percent.
PHOTON Magazine's February 2007 "Buyers Market Module Survey" concluded that SunPower holds the efficiency record for solar cells and panels made in series production. SunPower's SPR-315 panels utilize the company's new Gen 2 solar cells, rated at 22 percent conversion efficiency.
ENF published a study that ranked SunPower solar panels the No. 1 photovoltaic brand in the world, owing to a combination of excellent product quality and good value for the money. The ENF study surveyed hundreds of directors of solar photovoltaic installation companies in 45 countries.
Recognition from these highly respected industry labs and analysts validates that SunPower technology offers the highest cell and panel efficiency -- up to 50 percent greater than conventional solar technology and up to 100 percent higher than commercial thin film panels. These performance results translate into much lower electric bills and significantly better carbon emissions savings for SunPower customers. Higher efficiency also reduces system installation and sales costs, as more power can be generated with fewer panels compared to conventional or thin film technology.
"We are honored that SunPower products have been awarded top honors by such respected institutions as Sandia National Laboratories, PHOTON Magazine, and ENF, and by the many engineers, solar installers and integrators surveyed," said Dr. Richard Swanson, SunPower chief technology officer, founder and president. "This recognition underscores the enormous emphasis that we place on product performance -- and customers' appreciation of the value and quality we deliver."
Multiple SunPower products, including the newly available, high-powered SPR-315 panel, will be showcased at the SolarExpo 2007 event in Verona, Italy, from April 19-21, and the Energy Forum in Barcelona, Spain from April 25-27. SunPower will begin delivering its SPR-315 solar panels to customers this summer.
About SunPower
SunPower Corp. designs, manufactures and markets high-performance solar electric technology worldwide. SunPower's high-efficiency solar cells and panels generate up to 50 percent more power per unit area than conventional solar technologies and have a uniquely attractive, all-black appearance. SunPower's PowerLight subsidiary is a leading global provider of large-scale solar power systems, with over 100 megawatts installed. For more information on SunPower please visit the SunPower website at www.sunpowercorp.com . SunPower is a majority-owned subsidiary of Cypress Semiconductor Corp. (NYSE: CY).
Forward-Looking Statement
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation reform Act of 1995. We use the word "will," "can," and other expressions about the future to identify such forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by the forward- looking statements. You should not place undue reliance on these forward- looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those predicted in such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, our ability to successfully develop and introduce new products and services, technological changes in the solar power industry that may affect the competitiveness of our products, our ability to ramp new production lines, production difficulties that could arise, the continuation of governmental and related economic incentives promoting the use of solar power, and other risk factors. Please refer to these and other risks described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. All forward-looking statements included in this release are based upon information available to SunPower as of the date of this release and, except as required by law, we assume no obligation to update any such forward-looking statements.
NOTE: 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
Helen Kendrick, Communications Manager, +1-408-240-5585, hkendrick@sunpowercorp.com, or Ingrid Ekstrom, Sr. Communications Manager, +1-510-868-1368, Ingrid.ekstrom@sunpowercorp.com, both of SunPower Corporation
http://www.sunpowercorp.com/
Copyright © 2007 PR Newswire. All rights reserved
News Provided by COMTEX