SAN JOSE, Calif., March 2 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- SunPower Corp.
(Nasdaq: SPWRA, SPWRB), a Silicon Valley-based manufacturer of high-efficiency
solar cells, solar panels and solar systems, today announced that renewable
energy veteran Jean M. Wilson has joined SunPower as its vice president and
general manager of utilities and power plants.
In this new strategic role, Wilson will lead SunPower's North American
utility and power plant division, overseeing project development, utility and
Independent Power Producer partnerships and marketing, and EPC (engineering,
procurement and construction) and component sales.
"Jean brings a wealth of experience to SunPower from her nearly two
decades in the wind development business," said Howard Wenger, SunPower's
president, global business units. "Jean will drive our growth plans across
the utility and power plant business in North America as we capitalize on the
opportunities established by state renewable portfolio standards and federal
support for solar power. She joins SunPower as the third recent leader from a
power industry background in addition to Dennis Arriola, our CFO who joined us
from Sempra Energy's utilities, and Tom McDaniel, our Board member who joined
us after thirty-seven years at the Edison International companies."
Wilson most recently served as senior vice president, renewable energy at
PPM Energy (now Iberdrola Renewables). She led a team of more than 130
professionals in the acquisition and development of over 2,400 megawatts of
wind power projects, and in the growth of a wind and solar power project
pipeline in excess of 18,000 megawatts. Wilson was responsible for the full
value chain of PPM renewable energy business, including land acquisition,
engineering, procurement, permitting, development, origination, construction,
O&M (operation and maintenance) and asset management for its North American
renewable energy business. Earlier at PPM, Wilson held the position of vice
president, renewable business development, where she managed a team of
professionals in the acquisition and greenfield development of wind power
projects in Canada and the United States. Prior to this, Wilson was director,
business development, green power for PacifiCorp; director of marketing for
Northwest Power Enterprises, Inc.; and director of business development for
Kenetech Windpower, all located in Portland, Oregon.
Wilson earned a master's degree in business administration from Stanford
University and a bachelor's of science degree in finance from the University
of Southern California. She is a member of the Board of the Oregon Build
Environment and Sustainable Technologies Center, and a former member of the
Renewable Energy Policy Project Board.
SunPower designed and built a 14-megawatt solar system, the largest in the
U.S., at the Nellis Air Force Base near Las Vegas, Nevada. The company is
currently building a 25-megawatt power plant in DeSoto County for Florida
Power & Light Company, which will be completed in 2009. SunPower is
contracted with Pacific Gas and Electric Company to begin delivery of
electricity as early as 2010 from the company's California Valley Solar Ranch,
a planned 250-megawatt plant. SunPower typically works with developers,
independent power producers, utilities and financial partners who buy power
plants developed by SunPower.
About SunPower
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 www.sunpowercorp.com.
Forward-Looking Statement
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning
of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking
statements are statements that do not represent historical facts and may be
based on underlying assumptions. The company uses words and phrases such as
"will," "to begin," and "planned" to identify forward-looking statements in
this press release, including forward-looking statements regarding: (a) our
growth plans across the utility and power plant business in North America, (b)
the company completing a 25-megawatt power plant in DeSoto County for Florida
Power & Light Company in 2009; and (c) the company beginning delivery of
electricity as early as 2010 from its California Valley Solar Ranch, a planned
250-megawatt plant. Such forward-looking statements are based on information
available to the company as of the date of this release and involve a number
of risks and uncertainties, some beyond the company's control, that could
cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated by these
forward-looking statements, including risks and uncertainties such as: (i)
construction difficulties or potential delays in the project implementation
process; (ii) unanticipated delays or difficulties securing necessary permits,
licenses or other governmental approvals; (iii) the risk of continuation of
supply of products and components from suppliers; (iv) unanticipated problems
with deploying the system on the sites; (v) actual electricity generation; and
(vi) other risks described in the company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
year ended December 28, 2008, and other filings with the Securities and
Exchange Commission. These forward-looking statements should not be relied
upon as representing the company's views as of any subsequent date, and the
company is under no obligation to, and expressly disclaims any responsibility
to, update or alter its forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new
information, future events or otherwise.
SunPower is a registered trademark of SunPower Corp. All other trademarks
are the property of their respective owners.
