Editors Note: In 2020, SunPower announced the completion of the strategic spin-off of its manufacturing division into a separate business named Maxeon Solar Technologies, Ltd. As a result, SunPower has expanded its offerings to drive future growth. The SunPower Equinox® system now offers multiple panel options, including front- and back-contact panels, all of which are responsibly and rigorously quality tested to provide the best energy solution for your home. Learn more about the differences in panel technology.
Changing the way our world is powered is pretty ambitious. That’s our purpose at SunPower, and it’s why all 7,000 of us do what we do every day. It’s hard to imagine being part of a more important or timely societal change than reducing the world’s dependence on polluting fossil fuels and addressing climate change. Our goal is to change the way that people think about and produce energy and we’re committed to unlocking the sun’s vast energy so all of us can enjoy the freedom it provides.
Our company started this journey 30 years ago this week. The road wasn’t always easy as we navigated from a start-up in an uncertain sector to a global player in a dynamic and maturing global solar market. Now, we move to the next 30 years with the wind at our back. I believe the debate around the viability of solar is largely over and one question remains: how fast will solar be adopted? I believe it will be swifter than anyone imagines. Last week we announced multiple large-scale solar projects with strong SunPower partners. Ten years ago, these projects would seem almost impossible.
Apple
We are incredibly excited to continue partnering with Apple, and were thrilled to announce two new solar projects with them in China. The rate of solar adoption in China is unprecedented and it is the world’s largest solar market. These projects will provide clean energy, help address climate change and provide agricultural benefits to local farmers, all while protecting the area’s precious land.
We’ve previously provided 90 megawatts of solar solutions for Apple in California, Nevada and North Carolina. We’re honored to be working with such a tremendous and inspiring partner and commend their commitment to global sustainability.
Stanford
We owe our existence to Stanford. The founder of SunPower, Dr. Richard Swanson, is a Stanford alumnus. He was a professor of electrical engineering at Stanford when he was first captivated by the idea of developing the highest efficiency solar cells in the world.
Now, three decades later, the university has partnered with SunPower to deliver 73 megawatts of solar. It is expected to power over half of the university (the equivalent of approximately 16,000 homes).1 This project uses an exciting new model, sometimes called “renewables by wire,” which allows Stanford to use solar energy produced off-site from their actual operations. This innovation allows for a larger solar installation than would be possible on the land-constrained Stanford campus. We congratulate Stanford on their leadership and thank them for their partnership.
Will you join us?
The future for solar is remarkably bright. Researchers believe that by 2050, the world’s main source of electricity will likely be the sun. Ahead of wind, hydro, nuclear and fossil fuels.
Our purpose is to change the way our world is powered, and our mission is to make solar the most compelling energy choice, inspire our people and communities to thrive, and to build a more sustainable future.
Our purpose, our mission and the opportunity inspires us every single day. Be a part of it with us.
We’ve launched our new SunPower blog to help inform, inspire change and facilitate a discussion about solar with people around the world. We want to share the promise of the sun. We want to share our perspective and ideas and we want to share your perspective and ideas. At the end of the day, we are all in this together.
Let’s change the way our world is powered.
