Full Description

SunPower Corporation, incorporated in April 1985, is a vertically integrated solar products and services company that designs, manufactures and markets high-performance solar electric power technologies. The Company operates through two segments: components segment and systems segment. Its subsidiary is PowerLight Corporation, which developed, engineered, manufactured and delivered large-scale solar power systems. These activities are performed by its systems business segment, or systems segment. On January 8, 2008, the Company acquired Solar Solutions.

Components Segment

The Company’s components segment sells solar power products, including solar cells, solar panels and inverters, which convert sunlight to electricity compatible with the utility network. The products are sold to installers and resellers, including its global dealer network, for use in residential and commercial applications. It also sells products for use in multi-megawatt solar power plant applications. The markets covered include North America, Europe and Asia.

Solar cells are semiconductor devices that directly convert sunlight into direct current electricity. The Company’s product, A-300 solar cell is a silicon solar cell with a specified power value of 3.1 watts and a conversion efficiency averaging between 20% and 21.5%. It delivers 3.3 watts with a conversion efficiency of up to 22.7%. The solar cells are designed without highly reflective metal contact grids or current collection ribbons on the front of the solar cells. This feature enables its solar cells to be assembled into solar panels. Solar panels are solar cells electrically connected together and encapsulated in a weatherproof package.

Systems Segment

The Company’s systems segment sells solar power systems directly to system owners and developers. It includes services, such as development, engineering, procurement of permits and equipment, construction management, access to financing, monitoring and maintenance. Its customers include commercial and governmental entities, investors, utilities, production home builders and home owners. Its solar power systems are designed to generate electricity over a system life typically exceeding 25 years and are principally designed to be used in large-scale applications with system ratings of typically more than 500 kilowatts. The Company completed solar power system projects in countries including Germany, Italy, Portugal, South Korea, Spain and the United States. It sells distributed rooftop and ground-mounted solar power systems, as well as central-station power plants. Its products include PowerGuard Roof system, SunPower T-10 commercial solar roof tiles, SunTile Roof Integrated system for residential market, Ground Mounted SunPower tracker systems, and fixed tilt and SunPower tracker systems for Parking Structures.

PowerGuard Roof system is a roof-mounted solar panel mounting system that delivers electricity while insulating and protecting the roof. It weighs approximately four pounds per square foot, which is supported by commercial rooftops. SunPower T-10 commercial solar roof tiles are pre-engineered solar panels that tilt at a 10-degree angle. These non-penetrating panels interlock for secure, rapid installation on rooftops without compromising the structural integrity of the roof. It is lightweight and is installed without penetrating the roof surface. Sloped side and rear wind deflectors improve wind performance, allowing T-10 arrays to withstand winds up to 120 miles per hour. SunTile product is a solar power shingle roofing system utilizing A-300 solar cell technology that is designed to integrate with conventional residential roofing materials. The Company offers ground-mounted solar power systems using its PowerTracker technology, referred as SunPower Tracker. It is a single-axis tracking system that automatically pivots solar panels to track the sun’s movement. The Company has developed designs for solar power systems for parking structures in multiple configurations. These dual use systems typically incorporate solar panels into the roof of a carport or similar structure to deliver onsite solar power while providing shade and protection.

The Company’s other products include metal roof system designed for sloped-metal roof buildings, which are used in some winery and warehouse applications. It also offers other architectural products such as day lighting with translucent solar panels. The Company provides customers with a variety of services, including system design, energy efficiency, financial consulting and analysis, construction management and maintenance and monitoring.

The Company competes with Evergreen Solar, Inc., First Solar, Inc., Q-Cells AG, Sanyo Corporation, Sharp Corporation, and Suntech Power Holdings Co., Ltd.