SunPower Corp. (Nasdaq: SPWRA, SPWRB) finalized the sale of its 13 MW Solare Roma power plant to Allianz Renewable Energy Partners IV Ltd. on Jan. 3, 2011.

Developer and installer of over 500 MW of large-scale solar systems all over the world, SunPower has recently taken a leading role in providing unique and customized solar solutions in Italy.

“The finalized sale of the Solare Roma power plant, along with our recently announced Montalto di Castro 44 MW solar park, completes our 2010 plan to develop, construct and monetize 85-megawatts of projects in Italy,” said Dennis Arriola, SunPower CEO, in a press release.

The Solare Roma power plant is located in the municipality of Anguillara, Province of Rome in the Lazio region. Julie Blunden, executive vice president for SunPower’s public policy and corporate communications said the plant will mean, “growth in jobs during a period where new jobs have been scarce. Both solar roofs and power plants have reinvigorated construction job growth [in Anguillara] where solar markets are strong.”

This sale comes at a time when Italy’s solar market is particularly strong.

“Italy is a natural solar market with a superb solar resource and a net importer of energy,” Blunden said. “Italy's solar market has been stable and successful. We call it the YIMBY effect: ‘yes in my backyard.’”

SunPower has also been a leader in Italy’s solar banking policy, developing and completing the country’s first publicly rated solar bond issue.

“We are particularly pleased to have completed the first publicly rated bond issue for a solar project last month, which we believe opens an important new financing vehicle for our industry,” said Blunden.

Founded in 1985, SunPower has moved into contention as a serious player in the international solar market for designing, manufacturing, and installing some of the most powerful solar technology broadly available today in residential, business and governmental sectors.

Moreover, SunPower has made an effort to tackle new policy issues within the solar market. like the bond issue in Italy.

With its first headquarters in San Jose, Calif., SunPower’s growing success has allowed the company to open offices in North America, Europe, Australia and Asia.

“Our bankability has allowed us to go from building the first solar PV power plant in 2004 in Bavaria, to winning contracts for central station power plants like the 250-MW California Valley Solar Ranch, to developing and completing the first publicly rated solar bond issue in Italy,” said Blunden.

Image courtesy of SunPower.