SunPower

SunPower Corporation is an American solar technology company focused on residential photovoltaic systems and energy storage products. Founded in 1985, the company has been a significant player in solar innovation, manufacturing, and installation for nearly four decades, evolving through multiple phases of growth, acquisition, and restructuring.

Early history

SunPower was founded by Richard Swanson, a Stanford University electrical engineering professor, initially as a small research-focused venture called Eos. Swanson’s work on high-efficiency solar cells in the Stanford Electronics Laboratory laid the foundation for the company’s early technology. Starting with minimal personal funding, SunPower gradually moved from laboratory prototypes to commercial applications, producing silicon wafers and small-scale solar devices.

In 1989, the company adopted the SunPower name following an investment and leadership partnership with Robert Lorenzini. Swanson left his academic role in 1991 to focus on commercialising solar technology full-time. By the mid-1990s, SunPower’s revenues were steadily growing, driven by early solar installations and research grants, though profitability remained a challenge.

Growth and expansion

In 2002, Cypress Semiconductor acquired a controlling interest in SunPower, appointing Tom Werner as CEO the following year. Under this ownership, SunPower expanded rapidly, benefiting from rising utility costs, government incentives, and technological advancements like the A-300 solar cell. By 2005, SunPower had grown to hundreds of millions in revenue and completed its initial public offering, securing further capital for expansion.

Throughout the 2000s and 2010s, SunPower broadened its operations internationally, particularly in Europe and the United States, and acquired multiple companies to strengthen its technology and product portfolio. Notable acquisitions included PowerLight, Sunray Renewable Energy, Greenbotics, Dragonfly, and SolarBridge, enabling the company to integrate solar panel design, automated maintenance, and microinverter technologies into its offerings.

Spin-offs and strategic focus

SunPower historically developed and manufactured photovoltaic panels, but in 2019, the company spun off its manufacturing division into Maxeon Solar Technologies, based in Singapore. This allowed SunPower to focus on residential solar services, installations, and battery energy storage. In 2022, SunPower also sold its commercial and industrial installation business to TotalEnergies, further narrowing its focus to residential customers.

Financial challenges and restructuring

Despite strong technological credentials, SunPower faced financial difficulties. In late 2023, leadership indicated uncertainty over the company’s ability to continue operations, and in August 2024, SunPower filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. Its assets were acquired by Complete Solaria, Inc., which rebranded under the SunPower name in April 2025. Following the rebrand, the company announced its first profitable quarter in three years.

SunPower today

Today, SunPower continues to operate as a provider of residential solar panels, photovoltaic systems, and battery energy storage, with a focus on leveraging its long-standing technology expertise. The company’s history reflects both its pioneering innovations in high-efficiency solar and the broader challenges of navigating a competitive global solar market.