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Corporate Social Responsibility
News
10.07.2008 - 02:00pm ET
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Gap Inc. Unveils 1 Megawatt Solar Power System
MMA Renewable Ventures and SunPower Partner with Retailer to Host a Solar System on Gap Inc.’s West Coast Distribution Center Campus
(CSRwire) FRESNO, CA. – October 7, 2008 – Gap Inc. (NYSE: GPS), MMA
Renewable Ventures, a subsidiary of Municipal Mortgage & Equity, LLC
(OTC: MMAB.PK), and SunPower Corporation (Nasdaq: SPWRA, SPWRB), today
joined with local officials in unveiling a one megawatt (MW) solar power
system at Gap Inc.'s West Coast distribution center campus. The
installation, one of the largest in Northern California, features a
ground-mounted solar tracking system on a five-acre site, and is expected
to offset 2.5 million pounds of greenhouse gas emissions annually, the
equivalent of taking 2,466 vehicles off the road over the life of the
project.
"We are very excited this solar power system is now online," said Kindley
Walsh Lawlor, senior director of strategic planning and environmental
affairs for Gap Inc. at today's dedication ceremony. "We made the
commitment to host this solar system nearly 15 months ago and are proud to
support the clean energy it generates. Over the past decade, Gap Inc. has
sought to find better ways to do business and this solar installation is
one such shining example."
MMA Renewable Ventures, which owns and operates the system, joined with
Gap Inc. to develop an innovative partnership, leveraging tax credits and
incentives, to finance the solar power system. This enables Gap Inc. to
buy the power generated from the system through a long-term contract known
as a power purchase agreement (PPA) – rather than through a major capital
investment. MMA Renewable Ventures owns the renewable energy credits and
environmental attributes associated with the system.
"This project demonstrates that solar systems deliver dependable power and
long-term cost savings," said Matt Cheney, CEO of MMA Renewable Ventures.
"Gap Inc. joins with several of the country's top retailers in deploying
solar; we commend their visionary commitment to renewable energy systems.
By securing power through a power purchase agreement, Gap Inc. will
benefit from cost savings from the system's very first day of operation
– and for years to come."
Designed and installed by SunPower, SunPower(R) Tracker system follows the
sun’s movement during the day, increasing sunlight capture by up to 25
percent over conventional fixed-tilt systems, while significantly reducing
land use requirements.
"We congratulate Gap Inc. on their decision to convert five acres of
unused land on the Fresno campus for the production of clean, renewable
solar power," said Howard Wenger, SunPower's president, global business
units. "High-efficiency SunPower Trackers will maximize the energy
production on the site, while an affordable PPA will provide the facility
with a hedge against rising utility rates."
More information about Gap Inc.'s efforts to reduce its impact on the
environment can be found in the company's 2005-2006 Social Responsibility
Report. The report is available online at www.gapinc.com/socialresponsibilityreport.
About Gap Inc.
Gap Inc. is a leading global specialty retailer offering clothing,
accessories and personal care products for men, women, children and babies
under the Gap, Banana Republic, Old Navy, Piperlime and Athleta brand
names. Fiscal 2007 sales were $15.8 billion. Gap Inc. operates more than
3,100 stores in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, France,
Japan and Ireland. In addition, Gap Inc. is expanding its international
presence with franchise agreements in Asia, Europe, Latin America and the
Middle East. For more information, please visit www.gapinc.com.
About MMA Renewable Ventures
A wholly-owned subsidiary of Municipal Mortgage & Equity, LLC ("MuniMae,"
NYSE: MMA), MMA Renewable Ventures develops, finances, owns and operates
renewable energy and energy efficiency assets in the United States. The
Company provides leases, Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) and other
customized financial solutions to help its customers manage energy costs.
MMA Renewable Ventures is dedicated to delivering competitively priced,
clean energy and energy savings to customers, strong partnership options
for project developers, and exceptional opportunities for institutional
investment in the clean energy sector. For more information about MMA
Renewable Ventures, visit www.mmarenewableventures.com.
About SunPower
SunPower Corporation (Nasdaq: SPWRA, SPWRB) designs, manufactures and
delivers high-performance solar electric systems worldwide for
residential, commercial and utility-scale power plant customers. SunPower
high-efficiency solar cells and solar panels generate up to 50 percent
more power than conventional solar technologies and have a uniquely
attractive, all-black appearance. With headquarters in San Jose, Calif.,
SunPower has offices in North America, Europe and Asia. For more
information, visit www.sunpowercorp.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning
of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of
the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934. Forward-looking statements are statements that do not represent
historical facts. The companies use words and phrases such as "is
expected," "will," and similar expressions to identify forward-looking
statements. Forward-looking statements in this press release include, but
are not limited to, the companies’ plans and expectations regarding:
(a) the system offsetting 2.5 million pounds of greenhouse gas emissions,
the equivalent of taking 2,466 vehicles off the road over the life of the
project; (b) Gap Inc. benefitting from a renewable energy system that is
cost-effective from its very first day of operation – and for years to
come; and (c) an affordable power purchase agreement providing the
facility with a hedge against rising utility rates. These forward-looking
statements are based on information available to the companies as of the
date of this release and management's current expectations, forecasts and
assumptions, and involve a number of risks and uncertainties that could
cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated by these
forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include a variety
of factors, some of which are beyond the companies’ control. In
particular, risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to
differ include: (i) actual electricity generation; (ii) the actual energy
consumption rate; (iii) unexpected changes in utility service rates; (iv)
variations in carbon dioxide emissions reductions; and (v) with respect to
SunPower, the other risks described in SunPower's Quarterly Report on Form
10-Q for the quarter ended June 29, 2008, and other filings with the
Securities and Exchange Commission. These forward-looking statements
should not be relied upon as representing the companies’ views as of any
subsequent date, and the companies are under no obligation to, and
expressly disclaim any responsibility to, update or alter their
forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future
events or otherwise.
SunPower is a registered trademark of SunPower Corp. All other
trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
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