US-based SunPower has completed the installation of a 1.3MW solar system on a rooftop at the Exploratorium museum in the city of San Francisco, California.

The solar panels were added to the museum's future home, which isscheduled to open in the Embarcadero waterfront area of San Francisco in 2013.

SunPower said this system includes solar panels that are up to 50% more efficient than conventional panels and will generate 100% of the electricity demand at the new facility.

Exploratorium executive director, Dennis Bartels, said the solar system is vital for meeting the museum's 'net-zero energy' goal, reducing its environmental impact, and eliminating operational cost.

"The savings will allow us to invest more in the innovative learning experiences for which we are known worldwide, as well as create learning opportunities about the physics of energy," Bartels added.

The solar power system would offset 33,150t carbon dioxide emissions over its 30-year life - equivalent to taking 5,910 cars off the California highways, Sunpower said.

SunPower president and CEO, Tom Werner, said that with the firm's technology, Exploratorium will be able to generate all of its power demand from a rooftop system.

"SunPower is proud to be one of the Exploratorium's sustainability partners, enabling the museum to achieve significant long-term savings that will support its important work advancing scientific learning for all ages," Werner added.

Image: The Exploratorium museum in San Francisco, California, US. Photo: courtesy of Ann Bartkowski/Dacreep.