SunPower Starts Construction on Reno AI Data Center Solar System

SunPower Inc. has begun work on a solar power installation serving a new artificial intelligence data center in Reno, Nevada, with the company announcing the groundbreaking on October 6, 2026. The project, headquartered operations for which run out of Orem, Utah, represents the first phase of the Reno AI data center development and was described by the company as an award tied to its broader commercial ambitions.

Executives Frame the Scope and Learning Value

John Paul Bergh, who serves as Executive Vice President of Cobalt Power Systems and SunPower New Homes, addressed the scale of the installation directly. He noted that the project does not yet reach the 100-megawatt-plus level, but said the installation is complex and that carrying it out gives the company a chance to learn. Bergh also said SunPower is honored to have received the first-phase award for the Reno AI data center, connecting it to the company's stated goal of growing its commercial system capability in situations where rigorous performance specifications apply.

Financial Rationale Behind Larger Installations

Chief Executive T.J. Rodgers approached the project from a profitability standpoint, arguing that larger jobs deliver stronger returns for the business. He laid out the company's pricing ladder: the average selling price for a residential solar job sits at roughly USD 32 thousand, high-tech Silicon Valley installations average USD 44 thousand, and certain commercial jobs run well above USD 1 million. Larger projects, Rodgers said, are better for the bottom line.

Recent Financial Moves Provide Backdrop

The groundbreaking arrives alongside other recent activity at the company. In September 2026, SunPower raised USD 26.2 million in cash through an equity private placement, with the round funded primarily by investors from Sand Hill Road. Earlier, in July 2026, the company released its Q2 2026 results and projected a USD 10 million improvement in operating income for Q3 2026.

Company Profile

SunPower operates as a solar technology, services, and installation business focused on providing reliable and affordable energy solutions. Using a national operating platform along with specialized subsidiaries, the company serves residential, commercial, new-home, and multifamily customers throughout the United States.

Forward-Looking Statement Cautions

The release announcing the construction start includes forward-looking statements, among them statements concerning the equity for interest exchange and the related impacts of those transactions. SunPower identified such statements through terms including "believe," "may," "will," "estimate," "continue," "anticipate," "intend," "expect," "seek," "plan," "project," "target," and similar wording.

The company cautioned that these statements reflect its current beliefs, estimates, and assumptions only as of the release date, and said the information should not be treated as representing its estimates for any later date. According to the company, forward-looking statements face risks, uncertainties, and assumptions, and should those risks materialize, or assumptions prove wrong, actual outcomes could differ materially from those implied.

The listed risks include market risks, trends, and conditions, though SunPower said the list is not exhaustive. Readers looking for further detail were pointed to the "Risk Factors" section of the company's annual report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 14, 2026, its Form 10-Q quarterly reports, and other SEC filings. The company stated it assumes no obligation and does not intend to update or revise the forward-looking statements, whether in response to new information, future events, or otherwise.

Contact Details for Investors

Parties seeking additional information may reach Sioban Hickie, VP of Investor Relations, at IR@sunpower.com or by phone at (801) 515-8727. More information about the company can also be found at www.sunpower.com.