SunPower Systems Powering Nine Pardee Homes Solar Communities in Southern California

SAN JOSE, Calif., July 29 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- SunPower Corp. (Nasdaq: SPWRA, SPWRB) today announced it is working with Pardee Homes to build nine solar-powered new home communities in Southern California.

In three communities in Los Angeles and Ventura Counties, as part of Pardee's 'Summer of Solar' promotion, high efficiency 1.4-kilowatt (kW) SunPower SunTile solar electric systems are included as a standard feature of the homes, with the ability to upgrade to a larger 2.4 kW system on most homes. Six communities in San Diego County and the Inland Empire offer SunTile systems as an option. The SunTile systems use SunPower solar cells, which are the most efficient cells commercially available and deliver up to 50 percent more power than conventional solar cells.

All systems come with the SunPower Monitoring System that offers homeowners two ways to monitor system production and home energy consumption — web interface and access from Apple mobile devices.

Pardee Homes is including the SunPower systems as part of their LivingSmart® program, which also includes features that reduce waste, conserve water, enhance indoor air quality and improve energy efficiency. As a result of combining the solar systems with the additional LivingSmart features, homeowners are expected to save almost 40 percent on their electric bills.

"Energy prices have risen dramatically over the years. Pardee Homes recognizes that combining energy-efficient features with high efficiency solar power systems may result in substantial savings for homeowners immediately and over the long term," said Matt Brost, general manager of SunPower's New Homes division.

"In addition to providing high-efficiency solar power systems with 25-year power output warranties, SunPower has worked with us to provide superior customer education so that prospective homeowners clearly understand the cost-saving, maintenance-free benefits of solar, as well as the tax incentives and rebates that are available," said Joyce Mason, vice president of marketing for Pardee Homes. "With SunPower, Pardee is providing the peace of mind that comes with generating your own clean, renewable energy while realizing a significant savings on your energy bill."

SunPower has been partnering with Pardee Homes since 2005. With 80 percent market share, SunPower is the leader in providing solar power systems to production homebuilders. The company has installed SunPower systems on more than 4,000 new production homes.

About Pardee Homes

Originating in 1921, Pardee Homes is a multi-regional builder and developer of more than 15 master-planned communities, new homes, apartments and business parks in California and Nevada. Since joining Weyerhaeuser in 1969, Pardee Homes has built more than 65,800 homes throughout its market areas, and of these, more than 10,000 are LivingSmart energy-efficient homes. Headquartered in Los Angeles, the company maintains regional operations in Southern California and Las Vegas. Pardee Homes is active in the creation of schools, parks and recreational amenities in its market areas and is widely known for steadfast civic outreach involving education, youth and the transitionally homeless.  

The company has earned scores of honors for architectural design, quality master-planned communities and green and sustainable building practices. Among those who have recognized the company's leadership in green building: U.S. EPA, U.S. DOE, California Office of the Governor, the State of Nevada, California Building industry Association, National Association of Home Builders and The Building Institute. Also see www.pardeehomes.com.

About SunPower

Founded in 1985, SunPower Corp. (Nasdaq: SPWRA, SPWRB) designs, manufactures and delivers the planet's most powerful solar technology broadly available today. Residential, business, government and utility customers rely on the company's experience and proven results to maximize return on investment. With headquarters in San Jose, Calif., SunPower has offices in North America, Europe, Australia and Asia. For more information, visit www.sunpowercorp.com.

SOURCE SunPower Corp.