$14.9 Million in Cost Savings Expected Over Next 25 Years

UKIAH, Calif., Dec 09, 2009 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX News Network/ — Mendocino College, Bank of America (NYSE: BAC) and SunPower Corp. (Nasdaq: SPWRA, SPWRB) today announced the completion of a 929-kilowatt solar power system on the college’s Ukiah campus. The system was financed by Bank of America and is expected to save the college $14.9 million in electricity costs over the next 25 years due in large part to the use of SunPower’s advanced sun-tracking technology.

"It makes sense to use the clean, renewable resource of the sun to power our schools sustainably," said Mendocino College’s Director of Facilities Planning Mike Adams. "SunPower’s high-efficiency technology is maximizing the amount of sunlight that is converted to electricity for our operations and the cost savings that we will achieve as a result."

Constructed in four months, the system utilizes SunPower solar panels, the most efficient solar panels on the market, with the SunPower Tracker(R) system. The Tracker follows the sun’s movement during the day, increasing sunlight capture by up to 25 percent over conventional fixed-tilt systems, while significantly reducing land use requirements.

"Colleges and universities in California are seizing the opportunity to help the state meet its growing energy demand and renewable energy goals," said Bill Kelly, managing director, at SunPower. "Mendocino College understands the significant return on investment that SunPower systems deliver, and the added value of working with an experienced partner."

According to conversion formulas provided by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the solar system at Mendocino College is expected to displace more than 55 million pounds of carbon dioxide over the next 30 years. This is equivalent to the emissions displaced from removing more than 4,500 cars from California’s roads. Mendocino College owns the renewable energy credits and all environmental attributes associated with the system.

SunPower has more than 550 solar power systems in operation or under contract globally. The company has built other solar power systems for California community colleges including Napa Valley College, Ohlone College, the Foothill-DeAnza Community College District, and the Los Angeles Community College District.

Bank of America, which has committed $20 billion over a 10-year period to address global climate change, has also been very active in financing solar power for California K-12 schools and community colleges including San Jose Unified School District, Milpitas Unified School District and Butte-Glenn Community College.

"We have been pleased to work with Mendocino College and SunPower to take another step along the path toward efficient and renewable energy," said Neal Skiver, senior vice president for West Region energy services originations at Banc of America Public Capital Corp. "This project is representative of Bank of America’s continued commitment to investing in renewable energy projects and the ongoing opportunities that exist for us to help clients save money while reducing carbon emissions. In addition to the renewable energy generation with its associated environmental attributes, doing these projects with schools and colleges provides the added educational benefit of students being able to see first-hand the use of solar energy to help the environment."

About Mendocino College

Mendocino College is a public two-year college located in Ukiah and accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. The college first offered classes in 1973, and currently has more than 4,700 enrolled students. Mendocino College serves the educational needs of its students and community by providing academic programs, transfer preparation, vocational training, lifelong learning opportunities and student support.

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