GAP INC. UNVEILS 1 MEGAWATT SOLAR POWER SYSTEM
MMA Renewable Ventures and SunPower Partner with Retailer to Host Solar System on Gap Inc.'s West Coast Distribution Center Campus
10/07/2008—FRESNO, Calif. – 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® 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.