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SunPower To Build 2.2MW Solar Power Plant In Italy

March 03, 2009 by Jeff Shepard

SunPower Corp. announced that it has signed an agreement with Sunshire, S.r.l., a subsidiary of Api Nova Energia S.r.l., to design and build a 2.2MW solar electric power plant in Tolentino, Italy.

This is the first solar power plant agreement to be announced on behalf of SunPower’s Italian subsidiary, SunPower Italia S.r.l. The project, which will be financed by regional banks via a leasing agreement, is the first phase of a planned 7.1MW development that is expected to be completed this year. At the site, SunPower will utilize SunPower panels, the most efficient solar panels commercially available, and the proprietary SunPower® Tracker technology, which follows the sun during the day and is said to deliver up to 25% more energy than fixed-tilt systems.

"We are pleased to partner with Api Nova Energia to deliver clean, reliable solar power to the rapidly expanding Italian market," said Luca Bandini, General Manager of SunPower Italia. "By using SunPower’s industry-leading Tracker technology and our high efficiency solar panels, Sunshire will maximize the solar power plant’s energy delivery, while optimizing land use and reducing related costs."

"SunPower’s unrivaled expertise and experience in the design and construction of solar power plants, as well as the company’s superior technology, were the primary reasons we chose SunPower as our partner for this important project," said Paolo Chiantore, Director of Sunshire. "Today, Api Nova Energia has the largest solar facility under development in the Tolentino area (Marche region) in Italy. This plant will be an important source of clean, renewable and reliable power for the Marche region."

SunPower has installed more than 400MW of large-scale solar power systems globally, including more than 185MW of power plants in Europe.