SunPower Chairman Doesn't Talk Green

Is it any surprise that one of the most successful domestic solar firms, SunPower (SPWR) (ex-Cypress Semi), is chaired by a guy who could probably do a non-ironic rendition of Okie From Muskogee? Courtesy of Reason Magazine:

These days, [TJ] Rodgers is also the chairman of SunPower Corp, a manufacturer of solar-power systems. But his stance on the touchy-feely side of corporate social responsibility doesn't seem to have changed:

"We don't talk green talk in the company. As a matter of fact, I get itchy when I hear that kind of stuff."

Then he tells a story about the time he caught the president of SunPower "blathering about ice caps or something like that" and went to great lengths to publicly mock him for being, essentially, a Birkenstocks-wearing dirty hippie.

Also, check out the backorder of wind turbines at GE (GE). You know Jeff Immelt would be more politic than TJ Rodgers.

Comments

[UncleFred:]

Rogers should remember that environmental concerns are what drive the whole solar industry, and dismissing the "greenies" is not helpful to his sales.

2008 Apr 15 09:29 AM

[GH:]

Fred,

Sadly, you're wrong. Environmental concerns drive some end users, but not enough to keep the industry going. The only green in which Wall Street is interested is on their watchlists (they don't use cash). Politicians, for the most part, also don't care what happens to the world beyond the next election. The only green they care about is in the suitcases full of campaign contribution cash they get from lobbiests.

What is driving the solar industry is that Wall Street and Washington have recognized that it is The Next Big Thing. To them it's just another bandwagon to hop on for a free ride. If it happens to save the world, that's nice, and they'll be happy to take credit for it.

Invest with your eyes open, friend.

2008 Apr 15 10:27 AM

[Piggybank:]

I think the largest incentive for companies to go for slar would be energy independance, no energy costs eans higher profits, and company's that swim in cash can afford it, it's even an interresting opportunity for them to make an investment that makes them a lot more effeciant profit wise.

2008 Apr 15 11:34 AM

[Piggybank:]

I think the largest incentive for companies to go for slar would be energy independance, no energy costs eans higher profits, and company's that swim in cash can afford it, it's even an interresting opportunity for them to make an investment that makes them a lot more effeciant profit wise.

2008 Apr 15 11:34 AM