The "Big Green Bus" visits SunPower

Just that — it's big and it's green, and it's our home for the summer. After several years on the road with our faithful '96 International school bus, we've decided it's time for an upgrade, so we purchased this 1989 MCI motorcoach to retrofit for our upcoming 2009 summer tour. We have completely rebuilt the bus, inside and out. In addition to a new paint job, we remodeled the inside — complete with all the essentials of home including tables, couches, a kitchen, and bunks in the back. We have interactive displays and showcase energy saving and environmentally friendly improvements you can implement at home, such as:

Solar Panels — we have four brand new SunPower 315 solar panels to provide all the energy we need, enough to power our computers, refrigerator, projector, lighting, television, air conditioning and veggie pumps. You can check out SunPower's technology at www.sunpowercorp.com Deep Cycle Batteries — We are going to have 10 Group 8D AGM 12-volt batteries. They are wired in a series parallel combination to make a 24-volt system that will meet all our electrical demands. The electricity generated by our panels that we don't use right away is stored here. Inverter — Our 4000-watt Xantrex XW series inverter takes 24 volt Direct Current (DC) from the deep-cycle batteries and converts it into 120 volt Alternating Current (AC) that powers all our onboard appliances. Floor — We have installed a bamboo floor from EcoTimber that is sustainably harvested in accordance with Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) standards. The wood comes from a well-managed forest and is documented from forest to customer. Grease Filters — These filters purify the vegetable oil we receive from restaurants. The first filter is a cleanable stainless steel screen that strains out any larger particles. The second filter captures any particles larger than ten microns. Finally, the oil goes through a half micron absolute rated filter. From here, the oil goes into our tanks, where it is dewatered and heated before it is ready to be sent to the engine. The filters are generously provided by Rosedale Products, a leader in filtering technology. You can check them out at www.rosedaleproducts.com Flat Screen — We enjoy the comforts of our current technologies with an environmentally conscious perspective. We can "veg out" on the play station or watch a DVD at any time with a guilt-free conscience, as these appliances are powered exclusively by our solar panels. Our flat screen is an LCD (liquid crystal display) as opposed to a CRT (cathode ray tube) or a plasma screen. LCD screens typically use 57% less power than an equally sized CRT. Plasma screens are also relatively efficient, but because we buy increasingly large screens and tend to leave them on for extended periods of time, plasma TVs have become one of the larger energy draws in the American household. Heating and Cooling — While we'd like to get away without air conditioning, the windows in our bus aren't designed to be opened the way they were in our old bus. So, we're installing a super efficient Split Cool air conditioning system that will be powered by the solar panels while we're parked. Computer Cases — Our computer cases were generously donated to us by Act 2Greensmart. The cases are made from 100% recycled materials. Each case is made from 12 PET plastic bottles, which saves the user 7,598 BTUs of energy, enough to power a laptop for 89 hours. act2greensmart.com http://www.thebiggreenbus.org/index.html

Olivenza Solar Power Plant - SunPower Solar Tracker Time-Lapse Installation Video

Senior Capital Procurement Manager

SunPower Corporation, a leader in the solar industry and provider of the world’s highest efficiency solar panel, is searching for an experienced Capital Procurement Manager for its San Jose Office. The position reports to the Vice President of Capital Procurement and will be the primary liaison between the Capital Procurement and Equipment R&D organizations. The Capital Procurement Manager will work closely with the San Jose-based Equipment R&D team to assess and select new solar cell manufacturing equipment suppliers, to enhance equipment from the current supplier base, and to manage the operational aspects of the company’s Equipment R&D programs.

In addition to the R&D responsibilities, the Capital Procurement Manager will have primary responsibility for managing SunPower’s California based equipment suppliers and will work with the Vice President of Capital to develop and rollout enhanced business processes to the Capital Procurement organization.

The Capital Procurement organization is responsible for assessing, sourcing, and managing SunPower’s capital equipment suppliers, supporting SunPower’s solar cell and module manufacturing operations located primarily in the Philippines and soon Malaysia.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Work collaboratively with Equipment R&D engineers and capital procurement managers to develop and execute SunPower’s cell manufacturing equipment strategy
• Assess and select potential new equipment suppliers
• Project manage the introduction of new toolsets including spec development, manufacturing monitoring, tool delivery, and installation
• Supplier management for SunPower’s California based equipment suppliers
• Execute SunPower’s Supplier Management System
• Achieve cost, quality, and delivery goals and objectives for solar cell and module equipment
• Work with equipment suppliers to develop value engineering roadmaps
• Strive to achieve competitive sourcing among multiple qualified suppliers through development and execution of commodity strategies
• Develop and negotiate supply contracts
• Develop and maintain productive business relationships with key executives at suppliers
• Design and execute enhanced new product introduction business processes
• Manage supplier performance and capability development
• Travel requirements are relatively limited

Experience

• 10+ years experience in a procurement, manufacturing operations, or sales environment
• 5+ years supplier / supply chain management
• Experience with highly technical capital equipment a must, preferably semiconductor equipment
• Experience assessing and rating the financial and operational capability of companies

Education

• BS/BA degree required; Engineering degree preferred
• MBA degree or MS in Operations Engineering or Industrial Engineering a plus

Qualifications

• Experience sourcing/selling high-tech, complex capital equipment, preferably semiconductor manufacturing equipment
• Demonstrated ability to work successfully in a highly matrixed environment
• Ability to successfully interact and positively influence at all levels within organizations, included executive levels
• Excellent written and verbal communications skills. Fluent in English.
• Ability to assess the financial condition and operational capability of suppliers
• Strong business acumen
• Experience with Asia-based capital equipment suppliers
• Outsourcing experience a plus
• Extensive contract negotiation experience
• Strong analytical skills (i.e. cost modeling, quotation analysis, supplier selection)

Please send resume to David.Sneed@sunpowercorp.com.

PV System Technician

The PV System Technician performs scheduled and unscheduled fieldwork required to operate and maintain SunPower’s installed base of solar electric systems. Fieldwork includes commissioning of new systems, training of on-site customer personnel, preventive maintenance site visits, corrective maintenance site visits, and system testing. The position reports to the Manager of Operations & Maintenance.

Travel is required for this position, and Technicians should structure visits to ensure maximum use of their time, visiting multiple sites in a region at one time to mitigate travel expenses. Overnight travel is required, averaging up to 25% of the time during normal work conditions, but ranging up to several weeks at a time for large commissioning, two or three times per year.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

RESPONSIBILITIES

•Failure Diagnostics
•Field Action
•System Testing and Characterization
•Commissioning
•Customer Training
•Preventive Maintenance
•Documentation
•Departmental Work

QUALIFICATIONS

•Practical knowledge of electrical systems, solar electric systems and their components
•Knowledge of building and structural construction techniques
•Ability to efficiently troubleshoot system failures
•Strong analytical, diagnostic, and problem-solving skills
•Excellent verbal, written, communication and presentation skills
•Strong prioritization skills

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

•Practical experience with electrical wiring and basic construction practices required
•2+ years working with solar electric systems or electrical systems and/or 5+ years commercial construction or roofing experience required
•Journeyman Electrician’s Certification desirable
•Technical/science/engineering degree or experience with energy systems preferred
•Experience with metering and test equipment
•Ability to organize, prioritize and complete multiple tasks simultaneously
•Ability to demonstrate a responsive, customer service approach to listening and responding to requests
•Ability to communicate status of work activities and issues with peers and management as they relate to projects and tasks
•First aid and CPR training

Please send resume to David.Sneed@sunpowercorp.com.

Global Commodity Manager, PV

The Global Commodity Manager : PV (Photovoltaic Modules) will be responsible for the development and execution of sourcing strategies capable of delivering high quality, cost-effective materials that meet standard and custom project requirements. This position is responsible for cost, quality, and delivery of 3rd-Party PV modules supporting utility-scale solar photo-voltaic power plants and large commercial solar installations.

This position will also be responsible for all commercial and strategic supplier management for relevant commodities, developing and maintaining supplier relationships, and managing supplier performance and capability development.
This role will be responsible for monitoring all relevant trends in commodity markets, advise the business on impact of those trends, and develop strategies to maintain SunPower’s leading market position in designing and building utility scale photovoltaic power plants.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
•Develop and execute Commodity Strategies for electrical products, including transformers, switch-gear, motors, actuators, and other electrical components.
•Achieve cost, quality, and delivery goals and objectives for standard and custom products.
•Influence technical design decisions in the interest of achieving optimal cost, quality, and delivery.
•Strive to achieve competitive sourcing tension among multiple qualified suppliers through development and execution of commodity strategies.
•Develop and negotiate supply contracts
•Work closely with Systems Project Electrical Engineers and R&D to define standard and custom product requirements
•Interface w/ Planning, Marketing Program Management, R&D, Sales and Construction Management to assess current and future sourcing requirements
•Hold quarterly executive review of strategic sourcing plan that defines, among other things, the market environment, capable suppliers, and annual / quarterly strategic objectives
•Develop and manage overall supplier relationships
•Manage supplier performance and capability development
•Maintain personal knowledge of market trends including rigorous analysis of market drivers, cost structures, technical improvements and competitive landscape.
•Periodic travel to supplier’s manufacturing sites.

Deliverables:
•Develop an ongoing sc/bus model/strategy that can deliver 20%+ GM for 3P
•95%+ OTD for PV/Cell supplier
•Develop Highly Variable cost structure
•Incoming DOA DPPM of < .5K DPPM ‘09
•Reliability: Annualized Failure Rate of <1% within Limited Power Warranty
•100%+ Contractual Coverage for PV/Cell Suppliers.
•VMI/Demand Pull (< 1 wk LT) for Cell Suppliers. < 75% take in 1-2 Q forecast period.
•Quarterly or Bi-Annual Exec Commodity Strategy Review

Education and Experience:
•10-15 Years experience in operations, manufacturing, sourcing.
•7-10 years supplier / supply chain management
•3-5 years electrical utility experience in engineering or supply chain function.
•5-7 years experience w/ direct accountability for quality/yield and capacity/throughput in manufacturing environment.
•BS degree in Electrical Engineering or equivalent.
•MBA or MS Operations Engineering or Industrial Engineering Degree preferred.

Please send resume to David.Sneed@sunpowercorp.com.

Mechanical Design Engineer, Systems Product Development

The role involves engineering design and development of the world’s leading PV mounting systems. Typically, this includes fixed and tracking systems targeted at residential, commercial, and utility applications. The products are targeted for distribution through both internal direct sales channels and 3rd party distributor and installers.

The ideal person will have a basic understanding of engineering principles and concepts as well as experience in product design, machine design, and testing. Particular expertise with a variety of materials and fabrication techniques will be valuable. Knowledge of roof design and construction considered a plus. Familiarity with industrial design practices also considered positively.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

•Participate with the group manager and other engineers to establish functional requirements, and system cost and performance targets.
•Contribute to development plans, schedules and budgets.
•Participate in the design and development of individual products.
•Work with external consultants and internal resources to complete designs on time and within budget while meeting production cost targets.
•Support the transition of the product from design to manufacturing.

Education, Experience, and Qualifications

•1-3 years experience in mechanical engineering design or product design
•Strong mechanical design aptitude
•Hands-on prototyping capability
•Demonstrated ability to develop creative and innovative design solutions
•BS in Mechanical Engineering or related technical field
•CAD skills, SolidWorks preferred
•Excellent written and verbal skills
•Machine shop or construction experience preferred
•Self motivated, with ability to work both independently and with multiple teams

Please send resume to David.Sneed@sunpowercorp.com.

Systems Product Line Manager

SunPower Corporation (www.sunpowercorp.com) in Richmand, CA is looking for a Systems Product Line Manager. This position will be responsible for working with a team of professional product managers the commercial system level products for SunPower. These products are targeted at commercial applications such as water districts, retailers and government buildings and the Utility & Power Plan markets. This position will work closely with R&D, OPS, Finance, Sales and other groups.

Send resume to David.Sneed@sunpowercorp.com