SunPower Announces World-Record Solar Panel With a 20.4 Percent Total Area Efficiency

SunPower Announces World-Record Solar Panel With a 20.4 Percent Total Area
Efficiency
Prototype Developed Using Funding From the DOE Solar America Initiative

SAN JOSE, Calif., Oct. 26 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- SunPower Corp. (Nasdaq:
SPWRA, SPWRB), a Silicon Valley-based manufacturer of high-efficiency solar
cells, solar panels and solar systems, announced today that it has produced a
world-record, full-sized solar panel with a 20.4 percent total area
efficiency. The prototype was successfully developed using funds provided by
the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) under its Solar America Initiative (SAI),
which was awarded to SunPower approximately two years ago.

The new 96-cell, 333-watt solar panel is comprised of SunPower's third
generation solar cell technology that offers a minimum cell efficiency of 23
percent. In addition, the larger area cells are cut from a 165 mm diameter
ingot and include an anti-reflective coating for maximum power generation.
With a total panel area of 1.6 square meters, including the frame, SunPower's
20.4 percent panel achieved the highest efficiency rating of a full sized
solar panel and this rating was confirmed by the National Renewable Energy Lab
(NREL), an independent testing facility.

"SunPower has the engineering expertise and proven technology to accomplish
this remarkable milestone in such a short period of time," said Larry
Kazmerski, executive director, science and technology partnerships, located at
NREL. "My colleagues at the DOE and NREL had cautioned me that reaching a 20
percent solar panel was a stretch, but this did not dampen my optimism that it
would happen. I congratulate SunPower and its team of talented engineers on
realizing this accomplishment."

SunPower expects to make the 20.4 percent efficiency solar panel commercially
available within the next 24 months. The company plans to begin operating a
U.S. panel manufacturing facility in 2010 using automated equipment designed
and commercialized with SAI funding. SunPower recently announced the
availability of the SunPower T5 Solar Roof Tile (T5), the first photovoltaic
roof product to combine solar panel, frame and mounting system into a single
pre-engineered unit. The T5 was also developed using research and development
funds from the SAI.

"We are excited with the rapid pace in which we've been able to develop these
advanced technologies," said Bill Mulligan, SunPower's vice president of
technology and development. "Without the funding from the SAI, it would have
taken us much longer to deliver both the world-record 96-cell solar panel and
the innovative T5 Solar Roof Tile. We appreciate the DOE's continued support
of the solar energy industry."

The Solar America Initiative is focused on accelerating widespread
commercialization of clean solar energy technologies by 2015 and to provide
the U.S. additional electricity supply options while reducing dependence on
fossil fuels and improving the environment. It aims to achieve market
competitiveness for solar electric power through government partnerships with
industry, universities, national laboratories, states, and other public
entities by funding new research and development activities.

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
"expects" and "plans" to identify forward-looking statements in this press
release, including forward-looking statements regarding: (a) commercial
availability of the 20.4 percent efficiency solar panel; and (b) operating a
U.S. panel manufacturing facility in 2010. 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) the company's ability to obtain and maintain an
adequate supply of raw materials and components, as well as the price it pays
for such items; (ii) the continuation of governmental and related economic
incentives promoting the use of solar power; (iii) construction difficulties
or potential delays; (iv) the company's ability to ramp new production lines;
(v) manufacturing difficulties that could arise; (vi) the success of the
company's ongoing research and development efforts; and (vii) other risks
described in the company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 28, 2008, its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended
June 28, 2009, 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 Corporation. All other
trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

SOURCE SunPower Corp.

Helen Kendrick of SunPower Corp., +1-408-240-5585,
helen.kendrick@sunpowercorp.com