SunPower

Founded in 1988, SunPower Corporation designs, manufactures and sells high-efficiency solar cells and solar panels that generate electricity for residential, commercial and remote power applications. Its proprietary all-back-contact silicon solar cell technology produces nearly 50 percent more power per square foot compared to conventional solar cells. SunPower solar cells are unique due to the metal contacts needed to collect and conduct electricity being installed on the back surface of the solar cells. In addition to improving cell performance, this design leaves the front surface with a uniformly black appearance. SunPower also manufactures a line of advanced custom imaging detectors using the back contact silicon technology. These detectors are geared for applications in the communications infrared data port and medical CT scanner industries. In 2001, SunPower solar cells were used to power National Aeronautics and Space Administration s Helios solar powered airplane to a powered-flight altitude of 96,863 feet. SunPower is headquartered in Sunnyvale, Calif.