Click here for a photo of Hagafen Cellars.
Click here for a photo of Kent Rasmussen Winery.
SAN JOSE, Calif., Aug. 1, 2006 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX News Network/ -- SunPower Corporation (Nasdaq: SPWR), a Silicon Valley-based manufacturer of the world's highest efficiency, commercially available solar cells and solar panels, today announced that two of Napa Valley's popular wineries have installed SunPower solar electric systems at their facilities.
Hagafen Cellars and Kent Rasmussen Winery, both located on the Silverado Trail in Napa Valley, are using SunPower's unique, all-black solar panels, to bring clean, renewable solar power to their production facilities and tasting rooms. The installation at Hagafen Cellars generates 37 kW of electricity, while the Kent Rasmussen Winery is a 34 kW system. SunPower's solar panels were selected by both customers for their industry-leading efficiency and superior appearance which offers a seamless integration into the roof lines of the winery buildings. The systems were installed by Akeena Solar, one of the nation's largest solar installers, based in California.
"The Rasmussen and Hagafen Winery projects represent the most recent wineries to use solar power to reduce their electric bills while helping to protect the environment," said Barry Cinnamon, CEO of Akeena Solar. "We hear from both businesses and homeowners that their electric bills are soaring and solar power offers a way to lock in guaranteed pollution-free power at a guaranteed low price for years to come."
"We are pleased to add these innovative SunPower systems to our growing number of commercial installations," said Peter Ashenbrenner, vice president of sales and marketing for SunPower Corporation. "Our industry-leading technology allows customers to easily integrate solar into their rooftops while maximizing their energy harvest from any available roof space."
Kent Rasmussen, president of Rasmussen Winery, added: "This is the second building on which we have installed SunPower panels, and the solar energy generated by these high-efficiency panels actually runs our meter backwards! One of our goals was to maximize solar power generation while reducing greenhouse gas emissions. With SunPower's solar panels, we have exceeded our expectations."
SunPower's solar panels are constructed with the company's A-300 high- efficiency solar cells, which use an all-back contact design that ensures no gridlines or tabs are visible on the front of the cells. SunPower's solar cells achieve an efficiency of at least 20 percent, the highest-efficiency commercially available of any solar cells worldwide. The company's SPR-215 solar panels offer an all black appearance, increasing an aesthetic advantage, while maximizing the power generated per square foot of building area.
About SunPower
SunPower Corporation designs and manufactures high-efficiency silicon solar cells and solar panels based on an all-back contact cell design. SunPower's 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. For more information on SunPower or solar technology, please visit the SunPower website at http://www.sunpowercorp.com. SunPower is a majority-owned subsidiary of Cypress Semiconductor Corp. (NYSE: CY).
About Akeena Solar
Akeena Solar has grown to become one of the largest national, residential and commercial solar electric system installer in the U.S. (based on data from the California Energy Commission and the New Jersey Clean Energy Program). Akeena Solar believes that producing clean electricity directly from the sun is the right thing to do for our environment and economy. For more information, please visit the Akeena Solar web site at www.akeena.net.
SunPower is a registered trademark of SunPower Corporation. Cypress is a registered trademark of Cypress Semiconductor Corp. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
SOURCE SunPower Corporation
Julie Blunden, Vice President External Affairs, +1-408-240-5577, of SunPower; or Barry Cinnamon, CEO of Akeena Solar, +1-888-253-3628 or bcinnamon@akeena.net
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