U.S. Dept. of Energy Installs Solar Array on Its Washington DC Headquarters (Sept 9, 2008)

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U.S. Dept. of Energy Installs Solar Array on its Washington, D.C. Headquarters

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September 9, 2008

San Jose, CA, USA: U.S. Dept. of Energy Installs Solar Array on its Washington, D.C. Headquarters

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has installed a 205-kilowatt SunPower solar-electric system atop the roof of the Forrestal Building in Washington, D.C. U.S. Department of Energy Secretary Samuel W. Bodman dedicated the system at a ceremony being held at the facility today.

"The significance of this solar array is both practical and symbolic -- it improves the way the Department consumes energy and it is a symbol of America's commitment to using the best available new technologies to confront the energy challenges we face today and will face tomorrow," said U.S. Secretary of Energy Samuel W. Bodman."

"We are proud that the Department of Energy, which is investing research and development funding into a wide spectrum of solar technologies, chose SunPower's high-efficiency solar panels to help power its headquarters," said Tom Werner, chief executive officer of SunPower. "This installation is a testament to the growing adoption of solar energy on commercial and public buildings. Solar power systems help to minimize a customer's exposure to electric rate volatility for decades into the future."

SunPower PowerGuard® was chosen for the DOE's rooftop because it integrated well into the existing roofline. PowerGuard is a patented, non-penetrating lightweight photovoltaic roofing system that delivers clean solar electricity to the building while protecting the roof from damaging effects of weather and UV radiation, as well as insulating the building to reduce heating and cooling costs. SunPower's high-efficiency 230 solar panels were used in the DOE's solar system and will generate approximately 222,000 kilowatt hours of electricity annually.

The DOE's solar-electric system was installed by two of SunPower's premier dealers. altPOWER, the market leader in New York City, specializes in building integrated photovoltaic systems (BIPV), a process whereby solar cells and panels are incorporated into the shell of a new building. Standard Solar, based in Maryland, is a turnkey system developer that specializes in residential and commercial solar power installations. The company is presently installing solar arrays for homes and businesses throughout the Mid-Atlantic Region.