T.J. Rodgers Revitalizes SunPower Through Strategic Alliances and Acquisitions

T.J. Rodgers, the founder of the now-defunct Cypress Semiconductor, is actively working to restore the SunPower brand to its former prominence in the solar business. Rodgers, a seasoned Silicon Valley entrepreneur, is leveraging his expertise in corporate mergers and acquisitions to forge global strategic alliances and identify potential acquisition targets. SunPower, a company with which Rodgers has a 25-year history, is set to announce a significant new partnership with REC Group, a Singapore-based manufacturer of solar wafers, cells, and modules. This collaboration will extend beyond REC Group's role as SunPower's primary supplier, focusing on joint development, production, and refinement of solar systems and components. Rodgers described this as a classic company-vendor relationship akin to those in the tech industry. Additionally, Rodgers is spearheading a corporate acquisition drive to expand SunPower's revenue and technological capabilities. He recently completed the acquisition of key assets from the bankrupt SunPower through his company, Complete Solaria, Inc., in September. Rodgers, who oversaw 26 acquisitions during his tenure at Cypress, remains tight-lipped about the size of SunPower's acquisition budget but confirmed ongoing discussions with potential targets. Rodgers' involvement with SunPower dates back to 2001 when he personally invested $750,000 (now worth $1.35 million) to keep the company afloat. Cypress, under Rodgers' leadership, later invested $8.8 million (nearly $16 million today) for a 44% stake in 2002, eventually acquiring full ownership by late 2004. SunPower went public on the Nasdaq Stock Market in 2005, with Rodgers serving as chairman until 2012.