You may have read some news recently about SunPower so we wanted to clarify a few things. SunPower Corporation did file for bankruptcy in August 2024 in a Delaware Court however SunPower is not out of business, at least not just yet.
SunPower filed for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy which allows them to restructure while it continues to operate. SunPower reported it’s trying to find buyers for its assets and pay back creditors, for example it has agreed to sell parts of the business to Complete Solaria for $45 million. Hopefully there is a path forward for SunPower and it is certainly a changing situation and we will keep you updated as best we can.
SunPower was founded in 1985 by Richard Swanson in Silicon Valley
SunPower had been leading the solar industry for 39 years and in August 2020 officially spun off Maxeon as a separate company. With a market flooded with cheap Chinese solar panels there have been many challenges and SunPower soon stumbled into harder times; was subpoenaed by the US Securities & Exchange Commission regarding allegations of financial misconduct by senior executives, the SunPower CEO soon resigned and its auditor, Ernst & Young, quit. Changes to roof top solar incentive programs in California (it's biggest market) didn't help either.
SunPower and Sun Powered Yachts
Sun Powered Yachts is not a part of SunPower, we are an independent LLC company and were an authorized SunPower dealer from 2018 - 2021. In 2021 we gave up our dealership with SunPower to move on to selling Maxeon solar panels.
Although at this time Maxeon does not have an official 'dealer network' we have been informed there is one in the making. We plan to continue offering Maxeon branded DC fixed frame solar panels. We now also have in stock the Maxeon Air 330W flexible solar panels and await smaller flexible panels under the Maxeon brand.
Please note Sun Powered Yachts is not SunPower and we are still in business. Call us with any questions you may have.
What about my SunPower warranty?
For SunPower fixed frame solar panels:
SunPower, like many other solar panel manufacturers including Maxeon, had a 'salt water exclusion' which means there is no warranty on the SunPower fixed frame DC solar panels when installed on your boat (eg SunPower 410W, 370W). This is a reflection of not knowing exactly what kind of conditions you could be putting your boat into and they are still great panels that have a 25 year warranty if installed on your house.
For SunPower E-flex solar panels:
We do still have a supply of SunPower 50W & 100W E-flex solar panels and will continue to sell them. Unfortunately, we do not have any SunPower 110W & 170W E-flex solar panels available.
The SunPower E-flex range are great panels and we have sold many since 2018 with many happy customers with panels aboard for 5+ years. Have a look at our install list & gallery. In terms of warranty replacements, I can think of 5 or 6 panels that have been replaced in this time, mainly for issues with the junction box.
As of August 2024, we will offer our customers a 2-year product warranty (backed by Sun Powered Yachts) but will not offer a limited power production warranty.
Should you have any questions don't hesitate to give us a call or email us.
Aloha, Katie & Lyall
+1808 825 2670
Note: the bankruptcy is still a changing situation for SunPower and we will update this news post with any important changes.
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