Cypress Semiconductor to Deploy Clean, Onsite Solar Power; PowerGuard Solar Roofing Tiles Selected for 335 kW System

Business Wire, Nov 14, 2001

Business Editors and High Tech Writers

SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 14, 2001

Cypress Semiconductor (NYSE: CY), a global supplier of high-performance integrated circuits, today announced that it is deploying a large solar electric generation system at its new headquarters building in San Jose to offset expensive peak power purchases from the grid. The 335 kW solar rooftop array is being manufactured, designed and installed by PowerLight Corporation of Berkeley, California (www.powerlight.com). When completed, this system will be the largest photovoltaic (PV) system in the Silicon Valley, generating enough electricity to power more than 300 homes.

"Investing in clean, reliable solar energy is consistent with Cypress's track record of being pioneers in technology innovation and leaders in our community," said Cypress president and CEO T.J. Rodgers. "We see no reason why other Silicon Valley firms shouldn't follow suit - this project was entirely justifiable on economic merits alone."

"Silicon Valley is a natural leader in recognizing and implementing new solutions to California's energy needs," noted PowerLight CEO Tom Dinwoodie. "As with the introduction of distributed computing, onsite distributed solar generation offers customers flexibility and increased control over their energy demand. Cypress' new 335 kW solar system will help Cypress efficiently and reliably meet its energy needs - and provide excess generation back to the grid for a return."

"Commercially-sized solar PV is a smart long-term investment, especially during tough economic times," added Rodgers. "On-site solar PV addresses our nation's energy security and insulates us from future price volatility. Wider PV deployment will ensure all Americans a safe, reliable and stable energy supply, while reducing our dependence on foreign energy sources."

The PowerGuard(TM) solar panels will reduce Cypress' utility costs substantially over the next three decades, while extending the lifetime of the roof and providing added thermal insulation benefits to the building. PowerGuard is a patented, lightweight PV roofing assembly that delivers clean solar electricity to the building while protecting the roof from damaging effects of weather and UV radiation. The project is being underwritten in part by rebates from the California Energy Commission's Emerging Renewables Buydown program, and incentives from California PUC.

About Cypress

Cypress Semiconductor (NYSE: CY) is "Driving the Communications Revolution"(TM) with high-performance integrated circuits for network infrastructure and access equipment. Leveraging its process and system-level expertise, the company designs and manufactures solutions targeted across wireless and wireline communications. Cypress supports a wide range of industry standards, such as SONET (OC-48 and above), Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), InfiniBand(TM) and Gigabit Ethernet. The company's communication s product lines include programmable high-speed physical layer devices (PHYs), wirespeed network search engines (NSEs) and network coprocessors (NCPs), and datapath switching elements (DSEs). Cypress is also the industry's leader in communications timing solutions, networking-optimized communications memories and personal connectivity solutions, such as USB and Bluetooth.

Cypress is a leader in pure optical and optoelectronic technologies designed to push network transmissions to higher performance levels and to satisfy the increasing demand for network bandwidth. With a focus on emerging communications applications, cypress aims to become the preferred silicon supplier for network infrastructure solutions and for every network data stream to pass through at least one Cypress IC.

Cypress employs 4,000 people worldwide. Its shares are listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol CY. More information about Cypress is accessible on the Web at http://www.cypress.com.

About PowerLight

PowerLight (www.powerlight.com) is the leading manufacturer of commercial-scale solar electric products and services. Founded in 1991, PowerLight's systems solutions deliver reliable, affordable clean power for commercial and government customers worldwide. Inc. Magazine has ranked the PowerLight Corporation among the top 500 fastest growing privately held companies in 2000 and 2001. Today, PowerLight has worldwide offices and a full line of commercial solar electric products.

"Safe Harbor" Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: Statements herein that are not historical facts are "forward-looking statements" involving risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to: the effect of global economic conditions, shifts in supply and demand, market acceptance, the impact of competitive products and pricing, product development, commercialization and technological difficulties, and capacity and supply constraints. Please refer to Cypress's Securities and Exchange Commission filings for a discussion of such risks.

"Driving the Communications Revolution" is a trademark of Cypress Semiconductor.