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SunPower has revealed that it’s new headquarters will remain based in San Jose, CA. The company is to relocate to an existing three-building site on Rio Robles next year in order to accommodate long-term growth plans. By renovating the buildings, with a rooftop solar system and solar carport alongside other renewable features, SunPower aims to achieve Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) gold certification.
"We're pleased to be moving to our new headquarters and continuing our investments here in California thanks to the City of San Jose's economic incentives and the state's long-term energy policies," said Tom Werner, SunPower CEO. "This move to a larger campus reinforces our planned growth over the next several years, not just here, but around the globe, as we continue to design, manufacture and deliver the highest efficient solar cells and panels on the market today."
In order to accommodate the move, the City of San Jose has prepared a US$2.5 million economic incentive package for SunPower over five years for permitting, workforce assistance, and utility and sales tax reimbursement, which is subject to approval of the City Council. The company is additionally investigating a US$30 million low-interest loan that would go towards building improvements and capital equipment. This loan would be funded by stimulus dollars made available by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, and provided to the State of California.
"It has been a pleasure to partner with SunPower on its plans to expand its headquarters presence, and R&D, engineering job base in San Jose," said San Jose Mayor Chuck Reed. "SunPower's new campus will serve as a showcase for innovation and green investment. I congratulate and thank SunPower for playing a crucial role in the implementation of the City's Green Vision, adding clean tech jobs that will help stimulate our economy, retrofitting its new buildings to green standards, and for powering its campus with solar power."
SunPower employs approximately 300 employees at the San Jose headquarters, with expected growth to more than 500 over the next few years.
