SunPower Corp., a Silicon Valley-based manufacturer of high-efficiency solar cells, solar panels and solar systems, recently announced that its Spanish subsidiary will design and construct an 18-megawatt Olivenza solar electric power plant in the Badajoz region of Spain. Olivenza is expected to generate more than 32 million kilowatt-hours of power per year upon completion.
SunPower will debut its proprietary SunPower(R) T20 Tracker solar tracking system in Europe at the 70-hectare site. The Tracker follows the sun as it moves across the sky, delivering up to 30 percent more energy than fixed-tilt systems while reducing installation cost per kilowatt.
"SunPower is proud to contribute to the rapid expansion of the Spanish solar market using our innovative, efficient solar energy technology," said Marco Antonio Northland, general manager of SunPower's European operations. "Our customers are demanding the highest energy delivery and fast construction schedules, requirements we can meet with our T20 Tracker. At Olivenza, we are using the SunPower Tracker to expedite deployment, maximize energy delivery, optimize land use and reduce related costs."
Olivenza is financed by a consortium of institutions, including AIG Financial Products Corp., a wholly-owned subsidiary of American International Group, Inc. and a principal investor in the energy and infrastructure sectors, and 360 CORPORATE, a Spanish principal investor in the energy and infrastructure sectors, as equity investors.
This project will expand SunPower's pioneering footprint in Spain to more than 100 megawatts under contract. Construction is expected to be complete in the spring of 2008.
