PHOTOS: A Hot Day for Solar at SunPower’s Factory
It was a union of sorts between federal, state and industry initiatives, culminating in a day that will be remembered in the history of solar power. At the factory of SunPower and Flextronics in Milpitas, Calif., Department of Energy Chief Steven Chu unveiled a large $1.2 billion loan guarantee for a solar farm from NRG Energy that will be built in San Luis Obispo County, Calif. At the same time, California Governor Jerry Brown signed into law a bill that says California utilities need to source 33 percent of their electricity from clean power by 2020. To top it off, the event was also the official opening of the SunPower and Flextronics factory, which will create 100 jobs in the area and build enough solar panels to power 25,000 homes each year.
Here’s my photos of the event:
Solar workers line up for the event
Politicians get a tour of the factory
Chu & Brown on the solar factory tour
Chu & Brown on the solar factory tour
Chu & Brown on the solar factory tour
SunPower & Flextronics factory in Milpitas, CA
SunPower & Flextronics factory in Milpitas, CA
SunPower & Flextronics Factory in Milpitas, CA
SunPower & Flextronics Factory in Milpitas, CA
SunPower & Flextronics Factory in Milpitas, CA
SunPower & Flextronics Factory in Milpitas, CA
SunPower & Flextronics Factory in Milpitas, CA
SunPower & Flextronics Factory in Milpitas, CA
SunPower & Flextronics Factory in Milpitas, CA
SunPower & Flextronics factory in Milpitas, CA
CA Gov. Jerry Brown on the solar factory tour
CA Gov. Jerry Brown learns about the solar factory
DOE Chief Steven Chu speaks at the event
CA Gov. Jerry Brown gives his speech
SunPower Founder Dick Swanson gives remarks
SunPower CEO Tom Werner gives a speech (he hurt his neck in a biking accident last week)
SunPower CEO Tom Werner signs a panel
DOE Chief Steven Chu sign a panel
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Good for SunPower. We are working with them on an energy storage grant from the California Energy Commission to integrate the VRB flow battery with a rooftop PV installation. The huge installation in San Luis Obispo will need megawatt storage to control the major fluctuations of power from passing clouds and ramping from morning sun.
what happened to dan shugar? i.e., the neck brace?
That’s SunPower CEO Tom Werner.
SunPower CEO Tom Werner had an accident on his bike last week. I think they said he actually broke his neck :(. He said it took a lot for him to be there at the event. A lot of people at his company didn’t expect him to make it in person. The man is dedicated.