THE SOLAR BOOM CONTINUES TO GAIN MOMENTUM AND ELECTRIC VEHICLES GET A PUSH!

NRG Solar, a subsidiary of NRG Energy, Inc. and SunPower Corp. has announced groundbreaking agreements to begin construction next year of the 250 megawatt California Valley Solar Ranch in San Luis Obispo County. The solar power plant is expected to create approximately 350 jobs during construction, will power about 100,000 homes and will be one of the largest photovoltaic solar power plants in the world, when complete. NRG Solar plans to invest up to $450 million of equity in the project over the next four years, subject to final total project cost and negotiation of the financing terms and conditions.

Under the agreement announced today, NRG will, subject to certain conditions, assume all ownership and financing responsibilities for the California Valley Solar Ranch. SunPower will continue to develop the project, and will design, build, operate and maintain the solar power plant. Construction is expected to start in the second half of 2011, with a portion of the project expected to begin operating by the end of 2011 and the balance coming on line in 2012 and 2013. When fully operational, the solar power plant will help California achieve its 33% renewable portfolio standard.

The project is currently seeking a loan guarantee from the U.S. Department of Energy Loan Guarantee Program Office, which supports accelerated commercial use of innovative energy technologies to help sustain economic growth, yield environmental benefits, and produce a more stable and secure energy supply. The DOE Loan Guarantee Program Office has provided a draft term sheet for the California Valley Solar Ranch project, which is a significant milestone in the process leading to a conditional loan guarantee commitment.

"California Valley Solar Ranch will be an important component of our multi-technology portfolio of clean, zero-emission solar power facilities," said Tom Doyle, president of NRG Solar. "We are pursuing large-scale photovoltaic projects across the Southwest and working with like-minded companies that can ensure our projects will be exceptionally successful. SunPower has the proven technology and experience building solar power plants around the world to deliver a well-designed solar project that will be a major contributor to helping California meet its ambitious renewable portfolio standard by the end of the decade."

"This partnership with NRG Solar and the DOE represents a major milestone in delivering 250 megawatts of clean, renewable solar power to California's electricity customers," said Howard Wenger, president of the utility and power plants business group at SunPower. "For two years, SunPower has been working to develop this project responsibly, with respect for the environment and the community. We are delighted to have found in NRG a partner that shares our vision to build a solar power plant in San Luis Obispo County that enhances the local economy, protects local habitat and generates emission-free solar power for California. The DOE is playing a critical leadership role in supporting renewable energy that provides economic and environmental benefits, as well as a secure, stable energy supply in the U.S."

California Valley Solar Ranch has executed 25-year power purchase agreements with Pacific Gas & Electric for delivery of 250 megawatts. The power purchase agreements have been approved by the California Public Utilities Commission. The closing of the NRG and SunPower agreements announced today is subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions and the completion of development, including obtaining required permitting and regulatory approvals.

By the end of 2010, SunPower will have installed more than 1,500 megawatts of solar power systems worldwide, including 400 megawatts of ground-mounted power plants.

In Texas, NRG Energy Inc. has partnered with The Hertz Corporation to support development of a charging infrastructure and services for electric vehicles in Texas. As part of the agreement, Hertz will support NRG's plans to create and manage a network of NRG's eVgotm branded charging stations across five Texas cities (Houston, Dallas, Fort Worth, Austin and San Antonio) by supplying vehicles, research and expertise to promote the adoption of EVs and plug-in electric vehicles (PHEVs) in Texas and beyond.

"Our partnership with NRG illustrates how industry players can come together to encourage electric vehicle trial and adoption. This partnership will provide consumers and businesses with an economical and convenient option for using electrical vehicles," said Mark P. Frissora, Hertz Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "Hertz and NRG are committed to expanding the Texas model to other cities, supporting the creation of EV infrastructure platforms nationwide, a critical next step in further developing the EV infrastructure."

The agreement is part of Hertz's strategy to enter into partnerships that will help scale up electric vehicle and plug-in hybrid usage for the general public. As part of its partnership, Hertz and NRG will work to advance Hertz's Texas EV fleet and jointly develop the charging infrastructure through the eVgo network.

"Hertz, with its vast network of car rental and servicing facilities across Texas and the nation, has a critical role to play in giving EV owners the 'range confidence' and distance driving flexibility of conventional vehicles," said David Crane, President and CEO, NRG Energy. "As such, we are very pleased to work with Hertz as a launch partner in bringing the value of electric vehicles to Houston and soon, across Texas and the nation."

The first eVgo high-powered rapid charging stations are expected to be installed in February 2011. Through this important contribution to the network, Houston's EV drivers will always have a charging station within easy access along major thoroughfares within 25 miles or more of city center. The agreement also provides opportunities to expand the partnership to other markets as NRG finalizes its plans for future eVgo cities.

In addition to NRG, Hertz is forming strategic partnerships with manufacturers, charging station providers, municipalities, NGOs, corporations and other stakeholders. To date, the company has said it will supply EVs and PHEVs from a range of manufacturers including Nissan, GM, Toyota and Mitsubishi. In Europe, Hertz EVs have already been introduced in London and Zurich, with additional cities adding EVs this autumn.

Hertz will be the first to provide a range of all-electric vehicles (EV) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV) and charging stations on a car rental and car-sharing basis at this scale.

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