Here’s the challenge: How can a trek of modern-day explorers use clean energy to power a snowmobile trek across Antarctica? For the Seoul Broadcasting System (SBS) of South Korea, who is spearheading this historic journey, the solution is using SunPower’s leading high efficiency panels:

SBS is funding the cross-continental adventure and plans to air a special documentary about the journey in May 2011 to coincide with the network’s 21st anniversary. The team of explorers is aiming to reach the South Pole, but they’re also looking to raise the issue of environmental awareness. To that end, SBS partnered with SunPower for portable solar charging stations that will power the group’s snowmobiles and additional camp equipment.

Below is a map detailing the group itinerary. The explorers disembarked from Patriot Hills station and are trekking towards the South Pole. On Day 23, they’re halfway to their destination, having completed 562 km of the 1,076 km journey. The team has faced a harrowing blizzard and other extreme weather.

You can get updates on the remainder of the SBS journey over the following weeks by liking SunPower on Facebook and following SunPower on Twitter. If you’re interested in more information please visit the Korean-language Facebook and Twitter pages maintained by the trek sponsors.

The Antarctica journey represents a great way to spread the word about solar. What other solar-powered adventures you’d like to see?

For all of you who’ve spent time in the last few weeks digging out driveways and walking through winter wonderlands, you probably have a newfound respect for the power of Mother Nature. At SunPower, we have the same respect, as we design and test our panels to maintain their high-efficiency production during the most extreme weather. In fact, a recent hailstorm at a customer installation in Phoenix, AZ demonstrated the importance of all-weather solar panel durability.

Back in October 2010, an afternoon hailstorm struck the Cowley Industrial Complex on the south side of Phoenix. The golf ball-sized hail was so large and ferocious that after the storm our local dealer, Don Herman of Empire Power Systems, said "It looked like someone had machine-gunned the complex with large bullets." However, the building’s southern end, which houses a 6.5 acre panel SunPower solar installation, was virtually spotless. More importantly, the solar panel’s continued to run at capacity producing 2.5 MW of electricity (enough to power 340 homes). In fact, out of the 8,000 panels that made up the installation, only three panels were damaged.

The tiles used in the Cowley installations were SunPower T5 tiles. Since the T5 panel is a non-penetrating model, it doesn’t require drilling holes in a building’s roof to hold the installation in place. This saved Cowley from melt water leaking through the ceiling of its distribution center and slowing operations. Facing the most extreme weather conditions, Cowley was able to maintain business as usual (and keep generating solar power)!

Next time you have to head out the door with shovel in hand, remember that your reliable SunPower panels should be in perfect operating condition. You’ll likely only need to brush the snow off of them to provide clear access to sunlight. Are your panels steadily pumping out power while surrounded by snow? If so, we’d love to see pictures of your installation braving the winter elements on our SunPower Facebook Wall.

Today, we have a story of solar for elephants, along with many other animals, at the Perth Zoo in Western Australia.



Earlier this month, the Perth Zoo unveiled the city’s largest solar site installation: a 91 kW SunPower system spanning the zoo’s elephant barn and seven additional structures. This 303-panel installation is the first of two stages in a $2.7 million renewable generation project at the zoo. With over 300 sunny days each year, this installation will provide the lion’s share of energy to several zoo buildings.



Perth Zoo went solar to demonstrate its commitment to sustainability and conservation. The installations around the zoo and accompanying educational materials will serve as an ideal teaching tool for the 630,000 visitors who pass through each year. Many young children and their families will learn about the environmental benefits of solar energy while checking out the elephant den.

The Perth Zoo’s solar investment was made possible through joint funding by the state and federal governments. It is part of the Perth Solar City program, a $73.5 million initiative aimed at making solar power a viable alternative for local communities and encouraging local residents and businesses to consider solar energy solutions.

Government solar installations like that at the Perth Zoo are incredibly valuable in influencing the uptake of solar energy. Not only do these installations make financial sense for local governments looking to diminish costs and protect themselves against energy volatility, they also show others that solar investments are possible. That’s a lesson the resident of Perth, and the elephants, won’t forget.

In 1954, Bell Labs pioneered the development of solar power technology, creating solar panels able to provide enough power to support the telephone service to a 1950s farming family. Approximately 56 years later, SunPower, in conjunction with Alcatel-Lucent and ConEdison Development, will install a 1.2 MW ground-mounted solar power system at Bell Labs’ global headquarters in Murray Hill, New Jersey.

Occupying six acres of the 200-acre Bell Labs campus, the SunPower system will generate approximately $2.5 million in cost savings over the next 15 years, which is the equivalent to the amount of energy required to power more than 200 average New Jersey homes on an annual basis.

At SunPower, our president and founder Dr. Richard Swanson has studied up on the early days of the solar industry and is excited about the implications of this installation. Swanson said “SunPower is proud to install this system at Bell Labs, the birthplace of many seminal technologies such as the transistor. Bell Labs is also the birthplace of the first practical solar cell in 1954. Now, 56 years later, solar cells have become one of the fastest growing sources of clean electrical power, so it is fitting that this national treasure is turning to solar cell technology for its power.”

Last September, the world’s largest solar-powered boat set sail from Monaco with the goal to travel around the world using only solar energy. The MS Tûranor PlanetSolar uses 537 square-meters of SunPower solar cells to power its engines, achieving an average speed of 7.5 knots. Nearly four months after the start of the solar boat exhibition, the crew on Tûranor PlanetSolar is now getting ready to start their crossing of the Pacific Ocean.



After successfully passing through the Panama Canal, the boat anchored in the Galápagos Islands for a week. The visit was coordinated with the WWF and demonstrated how renewable energy sources such as photovoltaic cells can co-exist with natural environments.

For the remainder of its around-the-world tour, the solar boat will follow an updated itinerary featuring major stopovers in Australia, Philippines (Manila), Singapore, Malaysia, India and Abu Dhabi. While in Southeast Asia, the boat will host local SunPower employees at its scheduled stops.



The world’s largest solar powered yacht is 31 meters long and 15 meters wide. A total of 38,000 SunPower high-efficiency photovoltaic cells provide the boat’s only fuel.



The MS Tûranor PlanetSolar began its journey when it disembarked from Monaco on September 27th 2010. The aims of the project include:

• Demonstrating the potential for renewable technologies such as SunPower solar cells
• Showing that the technology required for sustainability exists today
• Advancing scientific research and technological development associated with renewable energy
• Alerting the public to the importance of renewable energy
• Demonstrating that renewable technology solutions can integrate with local environments (including marine environments)

You can track PlanetSolar’s progress by liking SunPower on Facebook or following SunPower on Twitter. If you’re interested in more information on the project, please visit the PlanetSolar website http://www.planetsolar.org/be-part-of-it-logbook.en.php.

In the meantime, let us know what other transportation sources could use a renewable makeover. How would you change the way we get around?

As we kick off 2011, we wanted to reflect on the most rewarding part of the holiday season - joining together as a local community to give back. On December 11, 2010, 20 SunPower employees and their family members, including CEO Tom Werner, joined 700 volunteers and Turning Wheels for Kids to build bikes for kids and families who couldn’t otherwise afford a bike. Turning Wheels for Kids is a partner of the SunPower Foundation. At the Bike Build 2010 event, the entire group of volunteers built 2,400 bikes in 4.5 hours. That was quite a feat but don’t forget that means we also had to pump 4,800 tires in five hours! Thanks to an awesome group effort, Turning Wheels for Kids distributed these bikes to families throughout Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties in time for the holidays.

Once all the bikes were built, the crowd of volunteers watched on as Silicon Valley Executives, Turning Wheels for Kids staff members and BMX X Games gold medalists raced tricycles to raise funds for the organization. After addressing the volunteers, Tom even pedaled away against San Jose Sharkie and Carl Guardino, CEO of the Silicon Valley Leadership Group, in the tricycle race! Check out the video below for a 360° recap.

Turning Wheels for Kids was founded in 2003 and is a 100% volunteer-based organization. They raise funds all year through a variety of community events, and bring volunteers together to build and distribute bikes. Bike Build 2010 was also significant for producing the organization’s 10,000th bike since its founding. Check out the Turning Wheels for Kids site to learn how to support this great program by donating your time or your money.

Today we’re profiling one of our favorite customers, the Blackwood family of New Jersey (see video above). Many SunPower customers have two drivers for making the switch to solar: it makes financial sense and helps the environment. The Blackwoods fully embody this line of thinking. They computed that the return on investment for ownership of their solar system over its lifetime would outperform the S&P 500 with average monthly savings of $200. They also invested in an electric-MINI Cooper to cut down on their carbon output, which combined with their SunPower solar system will enable them to reduce their CO2 output by 30,000 pounds per year! We’re proud to work with such informed, forward-thinking customers.

We talked with Phil Blackwood about his decision to purchase solar, the purchase process and what’s next in his ongoing quest towards energy efficiency:

SP: Why did you go solar?
PB: I have always been fascinated by solar power. When I talked to some people [with solar panels] I could see how happy they were with their systems, especially when the systems had already paid for themselves. I did some financial calculations and decided it was not only good for the environment but also a good investment. After we had our system installed I continued reading about the environmental benefits and found they are incredible.

SP: How was the solar the purchase process?
PB: The purchase process was simple. I visited our local dealer, really liked the people I met there, and pretty much decided on the spot to go ahead and get the system. After discussing it with my wife, we put down a deposit to get the panels ordered!

SP: How effective has your SunPower system been in reducing your monthly energy bills?
PB: My panels are producing exactly the amount of power I was expecting. My lowest electric bill has been $2. Typically I am saving more than $200 a month. The amount of power produced held up well as the days got shorter in the fall. They produce the most power in the summer - right when we need it to air condition the house.

SP: You’re obviously an eco-conscious consumer. Now that you’re armed with solar panels and an electric vehicle, what’s next?
PB: I held a big celebration to inaugurate my system, and later in the evening I started thinking, “Now what? Maybe I can paint my roof white!” I studied that and decided a better option was to install a radiant barrier on the lower side of the roof (inside the attic). It’s the same idea as white paint, but it’s on the inside instead of the outside. We had our radiant barrier installed in January. I’m also changing out all our light bulbs with LED and ESL bulbs. Since we have already done a lot of other energy efficiency work on the house, the one big thing remaining is to switch out our natural gas heating with a heat pump that runs off the electricity from our roof. And maybe expand our system. And maybe see if we can go from one electric car and one gas-powered car, to two all-electrics.

SP: What advice would you provide to a homeowner who is considering a solar system purchase?
PB: Go for it!

With major automotive companies, including Ford, Nissan and Chevy set to introduce electric commercial and passenger vehicles this year, we couldn’t be more excited about both the short-term and long-term potential for major carbon reductions.

The cause of our excitement in the short term is that even if these vehicles are getting their electricity from dirty sources, which will be the case for many considering that much of electrical generation is from coal fired power plants, electric vehicles will still be clear winners in terms of a reduced carbon footprint when compared to their internal combustion engine (ICE) cousins.

However, if they receive their charges from renewable sources, such as a house, utility or charging station that is generating solar energy, consumers can then enjoy a dramatically reduced carbon footprint. This is what gets us excited!

At SunPower we envision a future where more of our energy is renewable and electric vehicles are a big step in making one’s commute green. While we understand that electric vehicles getting fuel from non-renewable sources is a little dirty, when homeowners and utilities embrace sources of energy that are abundant and renewable, such as solar, the benefits of having more and more electric vehicles on the streets become exponentially better.

Why shouldn’t our cars get their energy from the same source that has been powering plant life for hundreds of millions of years? After all, in the early stages of the automobile, electric vehicles dominated the market (link). Over time, electrics lost out to ICE automobiles because of the cheap abundance of petroleum, but now with the prices of gasoline unstable, extraction more risky and supplies finite; and with solar and renewable energy more affordable and abundant, why shouldn’t we return to the automobile’s electric origins?

A recent report by Deloitte forecasts that the electric vehicle market will make up only 3.1 percent of total automotive sales in the US (link), but this doesn’t tell the real story of the future of electric vehicles and their potential. We are already hearing about the success of some of our customers who are early adopters. For example, read the following testimonial of one of SunPower’s satisfied customers Tom Moloughney (here is a link toTom’s blog) below.

"My 8.8kwh SunPower solar electric system provides enough electricity to charge my 100% electric MINI-E and still have enough energy production left over to cover most of my home usage, Tom said via email. "lectric cars are the future of transportation and many major automotive manufacturers have electric cars in development right now," continued Tom. “Within a few years you’ll have many choices to buy electric cars and combining one with a home based solar electric system from SunPower will not only save you a lot of money, but allow you to enjoy the benefits of driving a true, 100% zero emission vehicle."

If you are interested in getting your own solar system to power your electric vehicle, we are offering up to $2000 additional rebates to the first 100 Facebook fans to sign up for a free solar evaluation on SunPower’s Facebook Page. Don’t miss this limited time offer and feel free to share it with your friends!

Did you notice something different about the SunPower website? We hope so. Today we’re pleased to debut the new look of our SunPower corporate website. This launch is the culmination of many months spent working with our different stakeholders to understand what our customers are looking for when they visit the SunPower website and how best to deliver that experience.


The SunPower new corporate home page.

Here’s a quick listing of what’s new:

• A more intuitive, top-rail navigation system that enables you to quickly find the information you’re seeking.
• Lots of great imagery and videos of SunPower products, customers and installations.
• The brand new Solar Resource Center, providing you with education and insights to help you learn about solar technology and owning a solar system.
• A rolling ticker on the home page with news and social media updates, providing you with a real-time feed of what’s happening around the solar world.
• And a new SunPower Insights blog. You’re on it now!

We hope you like the new changes. Take a spin on our home page and begin exploring all the new features. If you have any questions or requests for the types of content you’d like to see on the SunPower site, please leave a comment on our Facebook wall.
 

Today and tomorrow, SunPower is celebrating its 25th anniversary in the solar industry and its 5-year anniversary as a public company!

To commemorate, we’re extending a one-time only solar rebate offer for homeowners that want to reduce their carbon footprint and lower their energy bills. Join the celebration and sign up for our limited-time offer to save up to $2,000 on a residential solar system. This anniversary offer expires tomorrow, Thursday, November 18th at 11:59 p.m. PST.


The SunPower executive team celebrates 25 years of solar and 5 years on the NASDAQ

Going Solar is easier and cheaper than ever

The $2000 solar rebate from SunPower, on top of additional local, state, and federal incentives you might be eligible for, have already helped hundreds of SunPower customers to lower their monthly energy costs through solar. These are actual owner testimonials from the SunPower Facebook page:

I have solar panels with SunPower and you cannot believe the $$ I have saved in electricity. Make sure you contact them when you are ready to install panels! :o) - Beverly Tom

We put in a SunPower system through Arizona Solar Power last year. Our bills for the last 12 months total $1279.40 LESS than the previous 12 months. We are very happy. The panels look good too. - Terry Drucker

Join with us to celebrate 25 years and save up to $2,000 on a solar system for your home. Take advantage of this special offer by signing up for a free solar evaluation today or tomorrow!

* To be eligible for the special offer, you must own your home, live in SunPower dealer coverage area and sign up for a free evaluation with SunPower. Please note, this offer cannot be combined and is not available for previously installed or contracted SunPower systems.

Another Earth Month is behind us, and we hope April provided a good opportunity to incorporate some Earth-friendly habits into your routine. If you’re looking to do more, there are still lots of ways that you can continue to be kind to the planet, every single day. To keep the momentum going in the months ahead, consider helping out in the areas of Energy, Community and Transportation.

Broaden Your Energy Awareness & Spread the Word
Did you know that electricity generation is the single largest source of carbon emissions in the United States? It’s true. SunPower is working to change the way the world is powered. Here are a couple of ways you can help:

• Kill-a-Watt Wherever You Can – Turn off the lights when you leave a room, and turn off power strips in your home when not in use. These tiny acts can save you money and have a bigger impact on your carbon footprint than you ever imagined.
• Be a solar evangelist – Spread the word about the benefits of solar power to your friends and family. Refer them to www.sharesunpower.com. If they purchase or lease a SunPower system as a result, you both earn $200! It’s a win for you, them, and the planet.

Join (or Create) a Community
Find a nonprofit whose work inspires you. Consider the organizations listed below, with whom SunPower regularly collaborates. Or create your own.

• GRID Alternatives empowers communities in need by providing renewable energy and energy efficiency services, equipment and training
• Global Green fosters a global shift toward a sustainable, secure future
• Second Harvest Food Bank of Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties provides food to underserved residents
• Greenpeace prioritizes global environmental campaigns to protect the oceans, whales and seafood, stop global warming, and eliminate the use of nuclear weapons and toxic chemicals

Transform Your Transportation
There are many ways to ensure that your morning and evening commute is environmentally friendly. Here are a few of our favorites:

• Drive electrified – Electric vehicles emit no pollutants from the tailpipe, so they’re cleaner for the environment. They also generally cost less to operate and maintain. Ford and Nissan have partnered with SunPower to maximize the miles and savings you get when charging your electric vehicle with a SunPower^® rooftop solar energy system.
• Dive into the (car)pool – According to a recent report in The Daily Green, sharing a ride with just one other coworker can cut the cost of your commute in half! Plus, you’ll dramatically reduce your carbon emissions, and may reduce your travel time by using HOV lanes!
• Like your bike – Why use four wheels when two will do? May is Bike to Work Month, so pump up your bicycle tires, strap on your helmet, and take a kinder, gentler way to work. At SunPower, we take pride in our ride: We recently received the East Bay Bicycle Coalition’s Annual Bike Friendly Business Award, in the large business category.

We hope that reading these suggestions inspires you to come up with a few Earth-friendly ideas of your own. If so, please comment below! SunPower is eager to share the wisdom and innovation of our community…so check back frequently, and let us know how you’re changing the way your world is powered.