Macy's installing Solar Panels in its stores

Macy's Launches 28-Store SunPower Solar Power Program in Westminster
Friday September 28
Total of 15 Solar-Powered Stores Planned for Southern California

WESTMINSTER, Calif., Sept. 28, 2007 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- With a solar store dedication in Westminster today, Macy's is launching a program to install solar electric power systems at 28 California stores, including 15 in Southern California. SunPower Corporation (NasdaqGM:SPWR - News), a Silicon Valley-based manufacturer of high-efficiency, solar cells, solar panels and solar systems, is partnering with Macy's to design and install the systems.

The Macy's store in Westminster is the first to receive a SunPower solar power system under the agreement. The 294-kilowatt system will generate approximately 586,000 kilowatt hours of solar electricity per year, offsetting more than 11 million pounds of carbon dioxide emissions over the 30-year lifetime of the system. This is equivalent to planting approximately 53 acres of trees or removing 37 cars from California's highways each year.

Macy's stores Moreno Valley and Thousand Oaks are next in line to receive the solar power systems, with completion expected on all three stores by the end of October. Additional Southern California locations scheduled to receive solar power systems include Downey, Fox Hills, Irvine, Montebello, Newport Beach, Puente Hills, Santa Anita, Santa Maria, Simi Valley and Temecula.

``The move to solar shows Macy's commitment to using cleaner technologies, and in doing so we will reduce our energy demand,'' says Macy's, Inc. Vice Chair Tom Cole. ``We are proud to join the fight against greenhouse gas emissions in California because we believe a successful business is dependent on a healthy environment.''

Through its 28-store partnership with SunPower, Macy's has committed to installing a total of 8.9-megawatts of solar power systems on its California stores. In addition, SunPower is assisting Macy's to improve the energy efficiency at the stores. Combining solar power with energy efficiency will allow Macy's to achieve an estimated 40 percent reduction in utility-provided energy, almost doubling the impact of the solar power alone. ``By combining energy efficiency with solar power, Macy's is taking the extra step to cut our peak load demand,'' Cole said.

Energy efficiency upgrades will include high-efficiency lighting and HVAC systems and energy management systems.

The solar systems, combined with the energy efficiency upgrades, are expected to offset more than 24 million kilowatt hours of energy consumption annually. Macy's carbon footprint is estimated to be reduced by more than 195 million pounds of carbon dioxide emissions over the lifetime of the systems. This is the equivalent of removing 1,144 cars from California's highways each year.

For 17 of the 28 stores, Macy's will purchase solar-generated electricity under the SunPower Access(tm) program, a solar services agreement that allows the retailer to purchase just the electricity generated at its stores -- not the solar power systems. At the end of a 10-year term, Macy's will have the option to renew the agreement, transfer the equipment to a new site, or buy the system. Macy's will buy solar power systems for the remaining 11 stores, including the Westminster store, through an outright system purchase.

``SunPower Access is an easy, affordable way for forward-thinking companies to benefit from the use of clean, renewable solar power,'' said SunPower Chief Executive Officer Tom Werner. ``With this move to combine energy efficiency upgrades with a very significant commitment to solar power, Macy's is wisely capturing the extra environmental benefits while also improving its financial returns.''