Leadership Profile: Tom Werner (Part 2)

Here Tom discusses his transition into SunPower. He also provides some basic information about the solar power marketplace.

SM: How far along was SunPower at the time? TW: It was 60% owned by Cypress, and they were at the prototype stage. They were prototyping the high efficiency solar cell for the target market it was going into.

SM: It was pre-revenue? TW: We will get into the history of that. SunPower at the time had some optical sensor revenue, less than a million dollars a quarter. There were no revenues from the target market which dominates our revenues today. We had a proprietary technology, a great team, were well financed, and most importantly had a big market which at the time was a $1.5 or $1.7 B, and had not had a down year in 20 years. It looked very much like an execution play, and I thought I could help the team do that. >>>

Leadership Profile: Tom Werner (Part 1)

Thomas H. Werner has served as the CEO and as a member of the board of directors of SunPower since 2003. SunPower Corporation (Nasdaq: SPWR) designs, manufactures and markets high-performance solar electric technology worldwide. SunPower’s high-efficiency solar cells and modules generate up to 50 percent more power per unit area than conventional solar technologies and have a uniquely attractive, all-black appearance. Tom has a varied background including VP and GM positions with 3Com. Currently he also serves as a board member of Exar Corp, Three-Five Systems, and Silicon Light Machines. I recently interviewed Tom about SunPower. >>>