RICHMOND, Calif. : SunPower unveiled progress toward the Company’s diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I) commitments aimed at providing families, job-seekers and businesses that have been historically marginalized, increased access to the many benefits of solar and energy storage. In its first year working towards the 25X25 commitments, SunPower invested in economic opportunities for women in energy and fostered new strategic alliances to increase equitable job opportunities.
“At a time when demand for better, cleaner energy is stronger than ever before, we need to be proactive in our efforts to ensure the availability of the latest products and technologies — as well as the jobs and economic impact that come with them — are equitable,” said Maribelle Bostic, head of diversity, equity and inclusion at SunPower. “Our 25×25 commitments are a catalyst for action and the progress we have made in our first year is promising.”
SunPower 25×25 widens the impact of solar and storage with ambitious targets to increase workforce diversity, expand access to disadvantaged communities, and create industry equity. Notable achievements within each of the 25X25 categories since establishing the initiative in September 2021 include:
Prioritizing workforce diversity to advance equity and innovation
Across the solar industry, women make up roughly 30% of the workforce compared to 47% of the overall U.S. workforce according to the United States Energy & Employment Report 2022. To support its goal of achieving a 40% women employee base by 2025, SunPower Foundation awarded $100,000 to GRID Alternatives and Solar Energy International (SEI) to enhance their solar training programs for women. This aims to provide more women access to careers out in the field from solar installers to electricians. The Company also plans to pilot a leadership development program with McKinsey & Company for women and minorities in management positions, set to launch this October.
Spreading economic benefits of solar more equally across the U.S.
To promote equity in solar, SunPower is targeting 25% growth in dealers and subcontractors by certified minority- and women-owned businesses by 2025. To meet this goal, the Company hosted regional job fairs and solar workforce training programs with Latin Business Association and National Association of Women Business Owners – providing diverse-owned companies better opportunities to do business with SunPower as dealers, suppliers and contractors. SunPower is also working with Black Owners of Solar Services (BOSS) to co-develop a mentoring and sponsorship program to connect Black-owned solar businesses to opportunities within SunPower’s dealer program.
The Company is developing a supplier diversity program in partnership with the National Minority Supplier Development Council, focused on growing direct and indirect spending with diverse businesses.
To see all SunPower’s progress against its 25X25 goals, visit sunpower.com/25×25.
