<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0205</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2012-06-25</periodOfReport>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>1</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000867773</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>SUNPOWER CORP</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>SPWR</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001213272</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>BODENSTEINER LISA MARIE</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>77 RIO ROBLES</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>SAN JOSE</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>95134</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>false</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>true</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>false</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>false</isOther>
            <officerTitle>EVP &amp; General Counsel</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Karla Rogers, as attorney-of-fact for Lisa Bodensteiner</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2012-06-28</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
