SunPower, a Silicon Valley-based manufacturer of high-efficiency solar cells, solar panels and solar systems, also announced it has partnered with Flextronics, an electronics manufacturing services provider in Milpitas.
The announcement was made at the Flextronics facility late this morning with Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, SunPower CEO Tom Werner and Flextronics president E.C. Sykes.
The partnership between the two companies is expected to create 100 new jobs this year and produce 75 megawatts of SunPower solar panels annually.
"I can think of no better way to celebrate Earth Day than to highlight action that is good for both California's environment and its economy," Schwarzenegger said. "SunPower is not only enabling homes and businesses to conserve energy and save money by going solar, they are also creating jobs at a time when they are needed most."
The new location will allow SunPower to supply panels to solar installations at homes, commercial and public facilities and power plants throughout the Western U.S. in a quick and cost-saving manner.
Werner said Schwarzenegger's commitment to renewable energy companies was a deciding factor in SunPower's decision to remain in California.
"The governor's leadership on the California Solar Initiative, the Renewable Portfolio Standard, incentives for green manufacturing equipment and AB 32 provide us with the confidence to further invest in our home state," Werner said.
Last month, the governor signed into law SB 71, which creates a sales tax exemption for the purchase of green-tech manufacturing equipment. Schwarzenegger said the bill will expand the state's clean tech industry and create green jobs.
