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Solar cell, panel, and system manufacturer SunPower has signed a deal with Sunshire, a subsidiary of Api Nova Energia, to design and build a 2.2-MW solar PV power plant in Tolentino, Italy--the such agreement to be announced on behalf of the company's Italian subsidiary, SunPower Italia.

The project, which will be financed by regional banks via a leasing agreement, is said to be the first phase of a planned 7.1-MW development expected to be completed this year. At the site, SunPower will deploy its own highly efficient modules along with its proprietary SunPower Tracker technology, which follows the sun during the day and delivers as much as 25% more energy than fixed-tilt systems.

"SunPower's unrivaled expertise and experience in the design and construction of solar power plants, as well as the company's superior technology, were the primary reasons we chose SunPower as our partner for this important project," said Paolo Chiantore, director of Sunshire. "Today, Api Nova Energia has the largest solar facility under development in the Tolentino area (Marche region) in Italy. This plant will be an important source of clean, renewable and reliable power for the region."

"We are pleased to partner with Api Nova Energia to deliver clean, reliable solar power to the rapidly expanding Italian market," said Luca Bandini, general manager of SunPower Italia. "By using SunPower's industry-leading Tracker technology and our high-efficiency solar panels, Sunshire will maximize the solar power plant's energy delivery, while optimizing land use and reducing related costs."

The new system will add to the more than 400 MW of large-scale solar power systems globally, including over 185 MW in Europe, already installed by SunPower.