Solar power systems manufacturer SunPower Corp. signed a multiyear solar-panel manufacturing agreement with Jabil Circuit Inc. to build panels for SunPower's North American solar market beginning in the second half of 2009, SunPower said June 8.

SunPower and Jabil plan to evaluate establishing panel and system manufacturing locations in the United States, which would result in the creation of highly skilled jobs, according to SunPower.

Jabil also will collaborate with SunPower in the company's participation in the Solar America Initiative, a U.S. Department of Energy effort to accelerate advanced solar energy technologies development.

"This agreement provides SunPower with the flexibility to site manufacturing near the largest and fastest growing solar markets in North America, improving the efficiency of our supply chain," said Marty Neese, SunPower's chief operating officer. "Jabil's extensive experience in manufacturing and high-quality standards makes them an ideal partner for producing SunPower's solar panels, the most powerful solar technology on the planet."