The Power Behind: Launching the new SunPower Origin back-contact solar panel with our partners in Paris
- What: the partner launch of SunPower Origin, the new TCL SunPower solar panel built on next-generation SunPower back-contact technology.
- When: Thursday, 8 October 2026.
- Where: TCL NXTHome, Paris, France.
- Who: SunPower Partners (installers) from six countries, with the TCL SunPower marketing and product teams.
- Why: to give partners an exclusive first look at SunPower Origin and help them create content about it on their own channels.
By Valentina Maggiore, VP of Marketing, TCL SunPower Global
On Thursday, 8 October 2026, our team at TCL SunPower welcomed SunPower Partners from six countries to the TCL NXTHome in Paris. They came for an exclusive first look at SunPower Origin, our new solar panel built on the next generation of SunPower back-contact technology, ahead of its market launch.
We wanted this launch to be deliberately different. The real power behind SunPower has never been in the technology alone. It's in the people who bring it to homes and businesses every day: our partners. So we didn't invite them to listen. We invited them to create.
What does The Power Behind mean?
The Power Behind is the tagline of the SunPower Origin launch, and it goes well beyond the technology. It starts with the panel itself: in a SunPower back-contact solar cell, the electrical contacts sit on the rear, so nothing on the front blocks the sunlight. The technology works quietly, out of sight, behind every cell. It also stands for the strength of TCL, the global industrial group backing SunPower, and for the team that drives SunPower forward every day.
Above all, the power behind SunPower is our partner channel. SunPower Partners are the installers who explain the technology at the kitchen table, design the system, stand on the roof and look after customers for decades. A great solar panel only reaches its potential through great installers.
That's why we asked our partners to be loud: to film, post, react and tell the SunPower Origin story on their own channels, in their own voice, before anyone else could. Quiet tech, loud partners. Every guest brought the people who run their social media, and we built the whole agenda around one goal: helping them create great content about one product.
What happened at the SunPower Origin launch event?
We opened the day by setting the tone: this was a day to create, not just to listen. I shared our vision for TCL SunPower and why we believe the next ten years in solar will be about trust, not only technology: trust in the products, in the company behind them and in the partners who install them. That’s exactly why SunPower Origin matters: it builds on more than 40 years of SunPower back-contact experience, and it reaches homeowners through installers they already trust.
Karin Alberto, Product Director at TCL SunPower, followed with a deep dive into SunPower Origin: one product, explored in depth, rather than a tour of the whole portfolio.
“I couldn’t wait to see the new SunPower back-contact panel. We’ve been working with SunPower for many years, and we’re excited to bring this next step in the technology to our customers.”
Spanish SunPower Partner
Next came a hands-on content creation session with Davide Calabrò, CEO of Soluzioni Green. Soluzioni Green is a SunPower Partner, and Davide is an installer and the creator behind one of Italy's leading YouTube channels on solar and renewable energy, with more than 240,000 subscribers. He shared practical tips for creating social media content that works, then stayed with us all day, coaching partners as they filmed. See Davide's post from the day on Instagram.
“The event was great. I found Davide’s presentation on social media best practices really interesting.”
Belgian SunPower Partner
The afternoon then turned into a playground. Teams moved between a video game, a memory challenge, a shading experience, a photobooth and a hail challenge, and the friendly rivalry between countries lasted well into the evening.
We closed with free time in the TCL NXTHome showroom itself, where partners shot interviews, behind-the-scenes clips and stories in a real living space.
An evening on the Seine
The day ended where every Paris story should: on the river. A dinner cruise on the Seine gave everyone time to slow down, swap stories across countries and compare what works on social media in each market. Some of our favourite conversations of the day happened between courses, with the city lit up outside.
What did SunPower Partners say about the event?
The feedback on both the day and SunPower Origin itself has been warm and consistent, and it means a lot to our whole team. Partners told us they felt honoured to be invited and that the day felt exclusive, which is exactly what a launch like SunPower Origin deserves. They loved the location, enjoyed a format that mixed short talks with games, and valued the time spent with the SunPower team and our product experts.
“It’s great to meet the people behind the technology. Going digital matters, but what makes the difference are the relationships and the minds behind the products.”
Italian SunPower Partner
For us, the strongest signal was how much they learned from each other. Installers from different countries sharing what works, openly and generously: that exchange is the power behind our channel.
What's next for SunPower Origin?
Paris was the start, not the finish. Our partners left with presentations, visual assets and social guides to keep telling the SunPower Origin story on their own channels. They're now competing in a six-month social media challenge to create the best SunPower Origin content. May the best partner win!
We were also glad to welcome industry media to the launch. pv magazine joined us in Paris, and so did Mr. Kilowatt, who has written a detailed account of the launch and the new panel. Read his article on SunPower Origin (in Italian).
Want to follow along? Look for #ThePowerBehind and follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook.
Our heartfelt thanks to every partner who joined us, to Davide for sharing his know-how, and to everyone at TCL SunPower who poured so much care into every detail. To our SunPower Partners: you are The Power Behind.
Frequently asked questions
What is SunPower Origin?
SunPower Origin is the new solar panel from TCL SunPower, built on the next generation of SunPower back-contact technology. It was presented to SunPower Partners in Paris on 8 October 2026.
What is back-contact solar technology?
In a back-contact solar cell, all the electrical contacts are on the rear of the cell. With no metal lines on the front, more of the surface captures sunlight and the panel has a clean, uniform look.
What does The Power Behind mean?
The Power Behind is the tagline of the SunPower Origin launch. It stands for the power beyond the technology: the back-contact cells working behind every panel, the strength of TCL as the global industrial group backing SunPower, the team that drives SunPower forward, and the SunPower Partner network of installers who bring it to homes and businesses.
Who are SunPower Partners?
SunPower Partners are certified installers who sell and install SunPower solutions. TCL SunPower supports them with training, sales tools and dedicated marketing programmes.
How can installers become a SunPower Partner?
Paris confirmed what we've always believed: our partner channel is our greatest strength. It's made of installers who are proud of the technology they sell and generous in sharing what they learn. If you're an installer looking to stand out with premium back-contact technology, dedicated marketing support and a community of peers across Europe, we'd love to welcome you. Become part of the power behind SunPower.