SAN JOSE, Calif. –  SunPower Corporation, a San Jose-based manufacturer of high-efficiency solar cells, solar panels and solar systems, Helio Micro Utility and the San Jose Tech Museum of Innovation (The Tech), joined with San Jose Mayor Chuck Reed and other local officials to dedicate a 185-kilowatt solar-electric system that will be showcased at The Tech. This is the first commercial solar system on a downtown San Jose building.

“Solar power is integral to San Jose’s Green Vision,” said Reed. “The partnership between The Tech, SunPower and Helio Micro Utility demonstrates the type of efforts we’d like to see throughout the city as San Jose implements its clean tech strategy with a goal of becoming a world leader in solar technology. I am pleased to dedicate this system and encourage other companies and organizations to consider moving to clean, renewable energy.”

As an alternative to an outright purchase of the commercial system itself, The Tech will buy electricity for the facility from Helio Micro Utility’s Green Energy Community Investment Fund, a fund jointly owned with Citi Community Capital. The Fund will also own the associated renewable energy credits and other environmental attributes, which it may retire or sell.  The electricity will be competitively priced against retail rates, providing The Tech with a long-term hedge against rising peak power prices.

“Solar technology is no longer just blue-sky research. It’s real, it’s taken hold, and The Tech is yet again leading the way in demonstrating its very tangible benefits,” said Peter Friess, president of The Tech. “We are proud to partner with SunPower to be the first downtown City owned building to host this significant solar array.”

Designed and installed by SunPower, the system features SunPower T10 Solar Roof Tiles, equipped with SunPower solar panels, the most efficient on the market today. T10 Solar Roof Tiles are non-roof penetrating and tilt at a 10-degree angle to increase energy capture. The system, which is located atop the roof of Parkside Hall, a facility adjacent to the Tech’s main structure, will generate enough electricity to match approximately 10 percent of The Tech’s electricity use.

“We are pleased to partner with The Tech to bring affordable, clean, reliable solar power to a key destination point in downtown San Jose,” said Tom Werner, CEO of SunPower Corp. “The high-efficiency SunPower solar system that the Tech is hosting on its roof will maximize the amount of energy produced within the limited roof space, enhancing both the environmental and financial benefits.”