FPL Group (NYSE: FPL) and SunPower Corp. (NASDAQ: SPWRA) today announced a supply agreement for SunPower’s solar panels and its SunPower® Tracker technology beginning in 2010 through 2012. In addition, SunPower has separately committed to locating a research and development center in Florida if the state continues its robust solar program.
Under the terms of the agreement, SunPower will supply its photovoltaic (PV) panels and tracking systems to FPL Group subsidiaries Florida Power & Light Company (FPL) and NextEra Energy Resources.
Financial terms and supply quantities were not disclosed.
“Our agreement with SunPower for competitively priced panels and systems represents a key milestone in the execution of our solar strategy. For NextEra Energy Resources, this agreement will further advance our solar development efforts in key markets such as Colorado, California, Arizona, and New Jersey. In addition, assuming continued support by Florida’s legislative and regulatory leadership for the deployment of solar power in Florida, this agreement benefits the state through the creation of more clean energy jobs,” FPL Group President and COO Jim Robo said.
SunPower will locate a research and development center employing up to 50 employees in Florida if the state government continues to support the deployment of additional solar energy. SunPower will work with FPL and the state to identify a suitable location for such a facility. Continued strong demand in Florida also could lead to manufacturing and distribution centers for solar panels and tracking systems being located in the state as well, the company said.
“FPL Group is the leader in providing renewable energy, having invested nearly $10 billion in growing that business. It’s already the world leader in deploying utility-scale solar and we believe that it will continue to be a driving force in the industry. We’re delighted to expand and strengthen our already successful partnership,” said SunPower CEO Thomas H. Werner.
Florida Projects
SunPower is currently working with FPL to build its DeSoto and Space Coast Next Generation Solar Energy Centers, which is bringing commercial-scale solar photovoltaic power to Florida for the first time.
At 25 megawatts, the DeSoto plant, currently under construction, will be the largest photovoltaic solar facility in the nation when it is completed at the end of this year. The DeSoto Next Generation Solar Energy Center will use SunPower’s PV panels and Tracker technology. The Tracker automatically follows the sun’s movement throughout the day, increasing sunlight capture by up to 25% over similar fixed systems.
The Space Coast Next Generation Solar Energy Center will also use SunPower’s solar panels.
DeSoto and Space Coast are two of three solar projects representing 110 megawatts of solar power that FPL is building in Florida.
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