Happy Holidays!

The entire team at SunPower wishes you all a happy happy holiday and a peaceful new year.

May 2010 bring the continued growth of the solar industry in PA, enthusiasm for solar amongst politicians and consumers, and a deepening love and respect for the only planet we have.


We look forward to a great year.


Peace and Sunshine,


Kira, Jon, Nancy, Holly, Carrie, David, Bill, Colby, Joe, Eric, Marc, Levi, Zak, Garian, Mike and Sean - and of course, our solar kitties and pups, who always manange to help us keep things in perspective.

Where do we begin...

...so much is going on at SunPower!

1. THIS FRIDAY is our first non-profit benefit event, to raise funds for SunPower Afrique!

Event info. and registration are available here: http://www.sunpowerafrique.org/invite.html

2. Kira Costanza was quoted in this weekend's Inquirer, commenting on a new solar panel manufacturing facility opening in Philadelphia.

The full story is here: http://www.philly.com/inquirer/business/20091128_Solar-panel_factory_coming_to_Navy_Yard.html

At SunPower Builders, one of our M.O.’s is and has always been to provide locally manufactured solar products – which is why we have done business with the GE solar plant in Newark, DE for over 15 years. It is sometimes ironic that “green energy” products like solar panels are often shipped halfway across the world and have a massive carbon footprint…that’s why it’s important to us to work with local suppliers – we practice what we preach and others are starting to follow.

3. SunPower's Solar HQ will be feaured on this Saturday's Green Home Tour run by the Delaware Valley Green Building Council (DVGBC). All are welcome to 80 Pechins Mill Road, Collegeville, PA between 12:30 and 2PM. Rumor has it Joe Sestak will be in attendance!

Just a sampling...much more to come as we continue to grow in 2010 and take our efforts to West Africa.

DEP Press Release: PA Sunshine Program Boom!

The PA solar industry continues to grow :)

Paste this link into your browser to read on...

http://www.depweb.state.pa.us/news/cwp/view.asp?a=1278&q=549454

PA Sunshine Program Rebate Step-Downs

Here at SunPower we pride ourselves on being well-informed and tuned in to PA policy. It is important to provide accurate and timely information on incentives to our customers.

First, the Small Business PV program Tier 1 rebate level has closed - future projects will receive rebates in the Tier 2 rebate level.

Second, please note the following message we received from DEP, the state agency that runs the PA Sunshine Program:

The residential PV program is still accepting applications for Tier 1 incentives. Tier 1 will end as soon this program reaches 10 MW of project applications and/or reservations. There will be no extensions to this limit. As of November 13, the program has received applications for 4.66 MW of residential PV projects. The Department will accept 5.34 MW of additional applications before the residential PV program steps down.

An announcement like this went out for the small business program and it closed the next day, which is why we were concerned and wanted to get this out to consumers and potential clients considering an installation. If you’re planning to do a project please contact us ASAP and we will file your rebate to secure the high incentive level!

Thank you and we look forward to hearing from you soon - GO SOLAR.

610.489.1105

SunPower Solar Open House Press

Our annual Open House, part of the National Solar Tour, was a great success.

Please see a write-up about the event from the PV Chamber here: http://www.pvchamber.net/pdf/Oct-2009.nl.pdf

Thanks to everyone who came out and here's to another great year of solar.

Federal Incentives

There's been so much talk around here lately about the PA Sunshine Program that we thought we should remind everyone about the Federal Government's support for solar.

Here are our top tips for taking advantage of Federal Incentives:

1. Don't believe your CPA when he/she tells you that the Federal ITC is capped at $2K...

The Federal Tax Credit of 30% for Residential Solar PV installations was UNCAPPED at the end of 2008. It is not at all rare for the IRS not to put out new forms until partway through the year. Therefore, the 2008 form that shows a $2000 cap on the residential ITC for solar projects (Form 5695) is still floating around...HOWEVER, the truth is that the Federal ITC is 30% and uncapped, effective 2009, and
extended thru end of 2016. You can find this notation in the "What's New for 2009" section in the notes on the 2008 Form 5695.

Your CPA still doesn't believe you? Call SunPower, we are here to help.

2. Commercial Project? Go for the ITC Cash Grant!

The Stimulus Bill created an additional incentive for commercial projects that are put in service in 2009 - 2010: you can take the Federal ITC as a Cash Grant!

Treasury will administer the solar grant program and is required to pay out each solar grant within 60 days of the receipt of each application [Section 1603]. The solar grant is not subject to federal taxes [Section 1104].

This is a very informative link about the program: http://www.sunwize.com/commercial/business-solar-grant.php

What's next? Let's hear it for some MEANINGFUL climate change legislation!

Ontario, Canada has just implemented a feed-in tariff and we can't get PA House Bill 80 out of committee...stay tuned for legislative alerts to call your reps!

SunPower's Annual 2-Day Open House! Oct. 2nd & 3rd

It's that time again! You are invited to our annual 2-day open house in Collegeville.

Come see our expanded facilities - Net-Zero Energy and 100% solar powered! Celebrate this exciting year for solar with SunPower staff and other solar enthusiasts.

When: Friday October 2, 12pm -2pm & Saturday October 3, 10am-4pm

Where: SunPower Solar HQ - 80 Pechins Mill Road - Collegeville, PA 19426

What: SunPower Solar's 2-day Annual Open House, part of the NESEA Green Buildings Open House and ASES National Solar Tour. Enjoy networking, refreshments and presentations about PA rebates and solar financing, solar electricity and solar hot water and SunPower Afrique (www.sunpowerafrique.org)

Please call 610.489.1105 or email kira@sunpowerbuilders.com for more information.

Read the full Press Release:

For Immediate Release
Contact: Kira Costanza, 610-489-1105, kira@sunpowerbuilders.com


PUBLIC INVITED TO SUNPOWER SOLAR’S OPEN HOUSE

Leading PA Solar Installer to open doors October 2 and 3


Collegeville, PA – September 16, 2009 – Always wanted to learn about solar and energy efficiency? SunPower Solar (a division of SunPower Builders) is a local company that has been installing solar energy systems since the 1970s, and invites the community to celebrate solar at their annual “Off-the-Grid Gala” from 12 pm – 2 pm on Friday, October 2 and during the National Solar Tour & Green Buildings Open House from 10 am – 4 pm on Saturday, October 3. Both events take place at SunPower Solar office at 80 Pechins Mill Road, Collegeville, PA.

Now in their 4th decade of solar installations and energy efficient design and construction, SunPower Solar has compiled a diverse portfolio of projects in Southeastern PA, bound by the common threads of fine design, high quality craftsmanship and energy efficiency. Jon Costanza, President of SunPower Solar, states, “With state rebates, Federal Tax Credits and other incentives, solar is now more affordable than ever.” More information about how you can afford to go solar can be found at www.sunpowerbuilders.com.

Friday’s “Off-the-Grid Gala” is an opportunity to see a large solar energy system at work, completely powering the SunPower Solar office! Enjoy networking, meet the staff, and learn about everything solar, from technology to financing. Saturday’s event, part of the Northeast Sustainable Energy Association’s (www.nesea.org) Green Buildings Open House and American Solar Energy Society’s National Solar Tour. SunPower Builders’ office, also the site of Founder and President Jon Costanza’s super energy efficient 1703 stone farmhouse, will be featured on the Tour for the 12th consecutive year. Costanza’s property is not only host to his home’s and business’s active photovoltaic (solar electricity generation) and solar hot water heating systems, but also exemplifies passive solar techniques, daylighting, superinsulation (soy-based), a geothermal heat pump and is built out of 80% salvaged and recycled materials.

At both events, information will also be available about SunPower Afrique, SunPower Solar’s nonprofit partner that is working to install solar energy systems through microfinance in Togo, West Africa. More on SunPower Afrique can be found at www.sunpowerafrique.org. Light refreshments will be served and casual dress is highly recommended.