SunPower Corp. (NASDAQ: SPWRA, SPWRB), a Silicon Valley-based manufacturer of high-efficiency solar cells, solar panels and solar systems, announced the grand prize winner of the company's 'Solar Discovery Game,' an online contest and sweepstakes promoting solar education and energy awareness. The grand prize, a high-efficiency SunPower solar power system valued at $25,000, was awarded to Ewa Fietkiewicz, a homeowner in Anaheim, Calif., who is gifting the system to her son, Glendale, Calif. resident Jakub Fietkiewicz.
"When SunPower contacted me with the news, I immediately knew who needed the SunPower solar power system most – my son," said Ms. Fietkiewicz. "Concerned about his high electricity bills, he began researching solar options this summer. The system and the resulting savings make it the best gift I could ever give him and his family."
SunPower Premier Dealer SolarMAX Technology, Inc. of City of Industry, Calif. will install a system using high-efficiency SunPower® E19 series / 320 solar panels on Mr. Fietkiewicz's home. Fietkiewicz opted for a larger system than he would have received as the award recipient, increasing the capacity of the system to 7.65 kilowatts in anticipation of increased household electricity demand.
"A SunPower dealer at our local farmer's market originally sold me on SunPower's high-efficiency panels," said Mr. Fietkiewicz. "SunPower offers the most efficient solar technology available today and a quarter century of experience. My family can rely on significantly reduced electricity bills for the next 25 years."
The Solar Discovery Game attracted players, aged 18 to over 40, from all 50 U.S. states. Players responded to game questions about the history of solar power, notable SunPower installations and successes, solar facts and solar in the news. 'Likes' on the SunPower Facebook page increased by 246 percent during the course of the game's run from June to September.
"The Solar Discovery Game provided an entertaining opportunity for SunPower's online community to learn more about emission-free solar power and share that knowledge virally with friends and family," said David Henry, chief marketing officer at SunPower. "We congratulate the Fietkiewicz family, who will soon enjoy the guaranteed performance and benefits of a reliable, high efficiency SunPower solar power system."
Game participants accessed the Solar Discovery Game Facebook application to play. Correct responses earned players points and 'badges,' which could be posted to their Facebook walls. More than 8,300 game badges were awarded in the first month. New questions were added weekly. All participants were entered into bi-weekly sweepstakes drawings to win prizes, including plane tickets, video cameras, gift cards, event tickets and SunPower® gear.
Partners collaborating with SunPower on the Solar Discovery Game included Solar Energy Industries Association® (SEIA), Del Monte, eBay, Hawaiian Airlines, Jersey Garden Malls, California Academy of Sciences and Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART).