SunPower Announces New, Maximum Efficiency Solar Panel Product Line

Company's E19 Series Offers Record Efficiency of 19 Percent or Greater

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May 03, 2010, 03:05 ET

SAN JOSE, Calif., May 3 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- SunPower Corp. (Nasdaq: SPWRA, SPWRB), a manufacturer of high-efficiency solar cells, solar panels and solar systems, today announced its new SunPower E19 Series solar panels, a product line that offers modules in a 96-cell or 72-cell configuration, with a record efficiency of 19 percent or greater.

The SunPower E19 Series includes the E19 / 318-watt, 96-cell solar panel with an efficiency rating of 19.5 percent and the E19 / 238-watt, 72-cell solar panel with an efficiency of 19.1 percent. The modules feature larger, more powerful all-back contact solar cells that deliver three percent more surface area per cell, boosting panel efficiency by reducing unutilized space. The panels also have an anti-reflective coating that allow for more diffuse off-angle light to be captured, generating more energy per rated watt than a conventional solar panel. The coating and the larger area cells result in a darker, more aesthetically pleasing appearance. The E19 Series maximum efficiency solar panels are optimum for constrained roof space, offering customers the highest value for the level of efficiency delivered.

"We are pleased to deliver a solar panel with an unprecedented efficiency of 19.5 percent," said Tom Werner, SunPower CEO. "SunPower, now celebrating our 25th anniversary, has the expertise and experience to deliver the technology needed to reach this milestone. I'm very proud that we continue to exceed industry standards with this new E19 Series product line."

In addition to the new SunPower E19 Series product line, the company is also offering its current 18 percent efficiency or greater solar panels in the SunPower E18 Series product line. This family of panels includes 96-cell and 72-cell configurations, ranging from 305-watts to 225-watts.

The new SunPower E19 Series product line will be available for shipment to residential and commercial customers via SunPower's North American and European dealer networks in the third quarter of 2010. The SunPower E18 Series product line is available for immediate delivery.

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, including its facilities in the Philippines. 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 "will" to identify forward-looking statements in this press release, including forward-looking statements regarding commercial availability of the new E19 Series product line. 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 company's ability to ramp new production lines; (iii) manufacturing difficulties that could arise; and (iv) other risks described in the company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended January 3, 2010, 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.

SOURCE SunPower Corp.