BELMONT, Western Australia,, Feb 18, 2009 /PRNewswire via COMTEX News Network/ — 305-Kilowatt System at Crowne Plaza Hotel in Alice Springs Expected to Provide 40 to 80 Percent of Hotel’s Power Requirements

BELMONT, Western Australia, Feb. 18 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — SunPower Corp. (Nasdaq: SPWRA, SPWRB), a manufacturer of high-efficiency, solar cells, solar panels, and solar systems, today announced it has completed construction on a 305-kilowatt SunPower solar power system atop the roof of the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Alice Springs, Northern Territory. Invest North Pty Ltd. is the owner of the project, which is the largest roof-mounted solar power system in Australia.

"We are proud that Invest North chose SunPower’s high-efficiency solar panels to help power its flagship hotel in Australia," said Bob Blakiston, managing director of SunPower Australia. "This installation is a testament to the growing adoption of solar energy on commercial and public buildings. The Crowne Plaza Hotel’s solar electric system is expected to provide between 40 and 80 percent of the hotel’s power requirements, depending on the time of year."

The Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage, and Arts (DEWHA) provided financial backing for this project as part of Australia’s AUD $94 million Solar Cities Program.

"Through the support of the Rudd Labor government, projects such as this set a clear standard for what is expected of Australian companies when reducing their environmental impact," added Blakiston.

SunPower entered the emerging Australian solar market in 2008, with the acquisition of Solar Sales Pty Ltd. Solar Sales had partnered with SunPower for several years prior as a leading systems integrator and product distribution organization.

About SunPower Corp.

SunPower Corp. (Nasdaq: SPWRA, SPWRB) designs, manufactures and delivers high-performance solar electric systems worldwide for residential, commercial and utility-scale power plant customers. SunPower high-efficiency solar cells and solar panels generate up to 50 percent more power than conventional solar technologies and have a uniquely attractive, all-black appearance. With headquarters in San Jose, Calif., SunPower has offices in North America, Europe, Australia, and Asia. For more information, visit http://www.sunpowercorp.com.

Popularity: 2%

1. SunPower’s High-Efficiency Solar Cells will be Used to Power the World’s Largest Solar Catamaran from PlanetSolar

   SunPower Solar Cells Will Be Used Exclusively to Power the Solar Boat SAN JOSE, Calif., and GENEVA, Sept 02, 2009 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX News Network/ — SunPower Corp. (Nasdaq:...

2. SunPower Produces the Planet’s Most Powerful Solar Panel

     SAN JOSE, Calif., May 20, 2009 /PRNewswire via COMTEX News Network/ — Improved 96-Cell, 315-Watt Solar Panel Offers Industry’s Highest Conversion Efficiency of 19.3 Percent SAN JOSE, Calif.,...

3. SunPower Signs 32-Megawatt Solar Power Supply Agreement With Toshiba

   SunPower Corp. (Nasdaq: SPWRA, SPWRB) has recently announced that, under a strategic supply agreement, Toshiba Corporation (TOKYO: 6502) will order 32 megawatts of high-efficiency solar panels from SunPower in 2010....

4. SunPower’s High-Efficiency Solar Panels Power the Top Three Teams at the 2009 U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon

   Technische Universitat Darmstadt of Germany Takes First Place for the Second Consecutive Event SAN JOSE, Calif., Oct 16, 2009 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX News Network/ — SunPower Corp. (Nasdaq: SPWRA and...