SAN JOSE, Calif., Oct. 18, 2011 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- SunPower
Corp. (NASDAQ: SPWRA, SPWRB) today launched the SunPower™ C7
Tracker, a solar photovoltaic tracking system that concentrates the
sun's power seven times to achieve the lowest levelized cost of
electricity (LCOE) for utility-scale solar power plants available
today.
(Photo:
http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20111018/AQ85811)
The C7 Tracker combines single-axis tracking technology with
rows of parabolic mirrors, reflecting light onto 22.8 percent
efficient SunPower Maxeon™ solar cells, which are the world's most
efficient commercially available solar cells. Using mirrors
to reduce the number of solar cells required to generate
electricity lowers the LCOE by up to 20 percent compared to
competing technologies. For example, a 400-megawatt C7 Tracker
power plant requires less than 70 megawatts of SunPower solar
cells.
The C7 Tracker includes modular solar cell receivers allowing
for future performance upgrades. Additionally, the SunPower
advanced Tracker Monitoring and Control System (TMAC™) provides
wireless control of the power plant for increased operating
efficiency and reduced maintenance cost. SunPower can rapidly
deploy regional manufacturing of the system, supporting local job
creation.
"The SunPower C7 Tracker significantly increases SunPower's
effective manufacturing capacity, delivers bankable technology with
guaranteed performance and leverages a decade of experience in
reliable tracking systems," said SunPower CEO Tom Werner. "With more than 400 megawatts of
power plants operating around the world by the end of this year,
SunPower consistently delivers the most efficient and reliable
solar technology on the market, and the greatest return on
investment to our customers."
The C7 Tracker is ideal for regions with high solar irradiance
through direct sunlight, including the U.S. Southwest and areas of
the Middle East, Africa, Europe, Asia
and Australia.
About SunPower
SunPower Corp. (NASDAQ: SPWRA, SPWRB) designs, manufactures and
delivers the highest efficiency, highest reliability solar panels
and systems available today. Residential, business, government and
utility customers rely on the company's quarter century of
experience and guaranteed performance to provide maximum return on
investment throughout the life of the solar system. Headquartered
in San Jose, Calif., SunPower has
offices in North America,
Europe, Australia and Asia. For more information, visit
www.sunpowercorp.com.
SOURCE SunPower Corp.