SunPower Corporation Creates International Partnership in Residential Solar Power Systems

In a recent press release, Silicon Valley-based SunPower Corporation, a manufacturer of high efficiency solar cells, solar panels and solar systems indicated that it will begin to export one of their best selling residential solar power solutions. According to the announcement, the company has signed an agreement with Giulio Barbieri S.p.A., to design and manufacture the new SunPower® Carport (solar carport), for the Italian residential market.

“SunPower is currently designing and installing commercial solar carport systems at schools and businesses across North America, and we are now pleased to offer a new solution that is being adopted more and more by Italian homeowners,” said Howard Wenger, SunPower president, regions. “Partnering with Giulio Barbieri will enable SunPower to offer the same high efficiency, high reliability solar panels to homeowners wanting to power their homes with solar, but have constrained rooftops.”

The partnership aims to leverage the expertise of both companies by combining the solar panels and technology from SunPower with the manufactured carport structures developed by Giulio Barbieri. The agreement requires Giulio Barbieri to first deliver carports based on customer specifications and then SunPower’s local partners install the all-in-one solar carport system, including the aluminum structure, solar panels and inverters.

A variety of configurations of the solar power structures is available which can accommodate two or three cars and utilize 18, 24 or 32 of SunPower’s 96-cell, high-efficiency solar panels. The carports are capable of producing from 5.9 kilowatts to 10.5 kilowatts of free solar energy.

“SunPower chose our structures for the elegance of design and ease of installation, as our carports have concrete bases and do not require any groundwork,” said Giulio Barbieri, president of Giulio Barbieri S.p.A. “Our solid reputation in the market for quality and reliable carport structures, coupled with SunPower’s high efficiency solar panels, provide customers an artistic and effective solution, capable of enhancing, in an attractive manner, external parking lots especially in residential complexes.”