SunPower: Global Provider of Solar Cells and Panels

As fuel energy continue to increase in price and its source continues to deplete, innovators look for means of harnessing other alternative sources of energy to tap. Solar energy is one of the reusable sources that continue to make headlines as it proves to be more efficient and low in maintenance in the long run. In the United States, one of the trusted providers of solar panels to harness solar energy is SunPower Corporation.

The sun remains to be one of the renewable sources of energy and by tapping the solar energy it produces, consumers are able to save a whole lot more in the long run. In order to harness the energy of our star, solar panels are needed. SunPower Corporation is one of the leading providers of high efficiency crystalline silicon photovoltaic cells, solar panels and roof tiles that are based on silicon. The technology marketed by the company was created at Stanford University.

The solar cells used on the panels of SunPower are created to eliminate front-side metallization. This allows the working cells to maximize its use and trap more energy to be converted to mobile electrons. Not only are these solar panels used for residential use, these are also used to power commercial establishments that have gone green. In 1997, these solar cells were also used by NASA in their Pathfinder high altitude aircraft. This partnership increased the business’ popularity in the solar energy industry. Through a series of acquisition, the company has grown substantially. It has picked up competing businesses and invested in those promising start-up companies. Annually, the company generates more than $2.5 billion in revenue.

Through their strategic growth and continuous innovation on their solar panel offerings, the company has grown to be known as “Silicon Valley’s dominant solar panel manufacturer”. SunPower continues to trade publicly on the NASDAQ, using the symbol SPWR. Though publicly marketed, the majority of the company’s assets is owned by Total.