California Academy of Sciences Incorporates SunPower\'s ...

Tag : solar cells

SAN JOSE, Calif. , Sept. 26 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- SunPower Corporation ( SPWR ), a Silicon Valley-based manufacturer of high-efficiency solarcells, solar panels and solar systems, today announced that itsindustry-leading solar cells have been incorporated into the uniquearchitecture of the California Academy of Sciences (Academy) inGolden Gate Park, San Francisco, Calif. , which is re-opening its new home this weekend.
The Academy's new building features a "Living Roof," which wasdesigned by Pritzker Prize-winning architect Renzo Piano . The solar halo surrounding the roof is made up of 60,000 SunPowerhigh-efficiency solar cells encapsulated in 720 custom built glasspanels. This unique display allows visitors to see both the top andbottom of the solar cells. The 172 kilowatt building integratedphotovoltaic (BIPV) electric system will generate approximately213,000 kilowatt hours of energy annually and will provide up to 10percent of the Academy's electricity needs. The system is expectedto reduce carbon emissions by 405,000 pounds each year.
"The Academy will be reopening its doors this weekend to arevolutionary, environmentally-sustainable facility that will hostinquisitive minds of all ages," said Ari Harding , the Building Management Systems specialist at the Academy."Incorporating solar power into our Living Roof was a logical wayto lower our carbon footprint while complementing the aesthetics ofthe building. We are very pleased to have the highest-efficiencysolar cells in the world on our facility, made by a Bay Areaneighbor."
SunPower's high-efficiency solar cells lead the industry with up tofifty percent more power than conventional technology and two tothree times the efficiency of thin film technologies. The sameSunPower solar cells integrated into the roof of the Academy arethe number one choice for rooftop systems on homes in California and across the United States . With an all-black appearance, SunPower's solar cells offer anattractive, affordable way to add solar to any building whilemaximizing the solar power generated per square foot of any roofarea.
"We applaud the Academy's decision to include SunPower'shigh-efficiency solar technology as part of its new building, whichis expected to earn a LEED platinum certification," said Tom Werner , SunPower's CEO. "The SunPower high-efficiency solar cells are animportant element of Renzo Piano's roof design and a functional solution for generatingpollution-free solar energy to support the planetarium, aquariumand rainforest inside the museum."
About SunPower
SunPower Corporation ( SPWR ) designs, manufactures and delivers high-performance solarelectric systems worldwide for residential, commercial andutility-scale power plant customers. SunPower high-efficiency solarcells and solar panels generate up to 50 percent more power thanconventional solar technologies and have a uniquely attractive,all-black appearance. With headquarters in San Jose, Calif. , SunPower has offices in North America , Europe , Australia , and Asia . For more information, visit http://www.sunpowercorp.com . SunPower is a majority-owned subsidiary of Cypress SemiconductorCorp. ( CY ).
Forward-Looking Statement
This press release contains forward-looking statements within themeaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995,Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of theSecurities Exchange Act of 1934. Forward-looking statements arestatements that do not represent historical facts. The company useswords and phrases such as "will," "is expected," and similarexpressions to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-lookingstatements in this press release include, but are not limited to,the company's plans and expectations regarding (a) the systemgenerating approximately 213,000 kilowatt hours of energy annuallyand providing up to 10 percent of the Academy's electricity needs,and (b) the system reducing carbon emissions by 405,000 pounds peryear. These forward-looking statements are based on informationavailable to the company as of the date of this release andmanagement's current expectations, forecasts and assumptions, andinvolve a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actualresults to differ materially from those anticipated by theseforward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include avariety of factors, some of which are beyond the company's control.In particular, risks and uncertainties that could cause actualresults to differ include (i) actual electricity generation, (ii)the actual energy consumption rate; (iii) unexpected changes inutility service rates; (iv) variations in carbon dioxide emissionsreductions; and (v) other risks described in the company'sQuarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 29, 2008 , and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon asrepresenting the company's views as of any subsequent date, and thecompany is under no obligation to, and expressly disclaims anyresponsibility 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. Cypress is aregistered trademark of Cypress Semiconductor Corp. All othertrademarks are the property of their respective owners.
SOURCE SunPower Corporation