“The choice was easy because SunPower has the most efficient solar cells in the industry. And when I showed (my wife) that SunPower panels are all black and discrete on the rooftop, she was really pleased.”
– Eric Benhamou, Homeowner, Saratoga, CA
Eric Benhamou is no stranger to the power of silicon. As chairman and CEO of Benhamou Global Ventures, LLC and chairman of the board of directors of Cypress Semiconductor, 3Com Corporation and Palm, Inc, Eric is well acquainted with the potential gains delivered by Silicon Valley’s innovative technologies. While initially concerned that a solar power system on his home would not deliver a positive financial return, Eric was quickly convinced that SunPower high-efficiency solar technology has reached the threshold where it delivers meaningful economic and environmental benefits. In the spring of 2006, the installation of a 12 kilowatt array on his Saratoga, California home was completed.
Solar Technology With Modern, Aesthetic Appeal
According to Eric, the choice was easy because SunPower has the most efficient solar cells in the industry. However, his wife was concerned about the aesthetics of adding solar panels to their home. "When I showed her that SunPower panels are all black and discrete on the rooftop, she was really pleased," Eric recalled.
Creative, Unobtrusive Solar Design Customized For Your Home
Real Goods is a SunPower Premier Dealer in Eric's community. They walked the Benhamou family through a utility bill comparison of expected savings with a SunPower solar electric system. To simplify the process, Real Goods handled all incentives and applications. In their first year with the system, the Benhamou's saved $5,500-$6,000 in electric bills – tremendous savings that are in line with Real Goods' projected savings.
Making a Positive Financial and Environmental Impact
Today, the Benhamou's remain committed to the tremendous potential of solar power in terms of both its promising financial return and the opportunity to demonstrate leadership around environmental sustainability. Friends and colleagues often ask Eric about his own experience with the solar installation. In answer, Eric shows them his PDA. "I always walk around with 2 to 3 pictures of my SunPower panels in my Treo," he said.
Subhead:
Project Overview
Body:
Location: Saratoga, California
House details: 4,800 SF, two-story home
System size: 12 kW
Number of Panels: 56
Products: SunPower® 215 Solar Panel
Subhead:
Benefits
Body:
- Saved $5,500 – $6,000 per year in electric bills compared to year before
- No maintenance and no technical problems
- Panels are virtually invisible from the street
- Reduce CO2 emissions by 118,299 pounds which is equivalent to planting 30 acres of trees or removing 12 cars from the road