Bangalore: Tata BP Solar, a joint venture of the Tata Power Co and BP Solar, will shortly introduce building integrated photovoltaics (PV) used in replacement with building materials. With glass on both sides, the PV modules in between provides heat and sound insulation to the building apart from solar electricity.

Speaking to The Financial Express, Tata BP Solar managing director 
AK Vora said the building integrated PV modules developed by the company, which is vastly used in western countries, is being tested in the US for environmental conditions and is likely to get the test clearance in a month. The company is also looking at patent search for the product both within and outside the country and will be launched in May or June, 
Mr Vora said.

Apart from building integrated photovoltaics, the company plans to introduce wind-PV hybrid, devices for road safety, disaster management etc. Tata BP Solar with an export turnover of about Rs 100 crore hopes to have a total turnover of around Rs 180 crore in 2001-2002, as against Rs 92 crore in the previous year, Mr Vora added. The company is aiming at 30 per cent growth per year in its exports for the next two to three years, Mr Vora said.

The company will also launch its solar cooker in a big way all over the country shortly. The new parabolic solar cooker which replaces the existing box type cooker can be dismantled and reassembeled and even cooks faster than the box type. Mr Vora said the new solar cooker has lot of export potential in developing countries and the company plans to tap these markets in a big way.

Apart from solar PV modules, which forms the major portion of exports, the company is attempting to sell packaged products like lighting kits abroad. In an attempt to take its products, services and training nearer to the customers, the company is embarking upon opening a network of solar shops in second and third level towns in the country. The solar shops will provide access and visibility of solar products to people in these towns and are aimed at creating more awareness on the products there improving the sales, Mr Vora added.

At present, five such shops have been started on an experimental basis and the company is planning to increase it to 25 by the year end.‘‘We are also planning to authorise these shops as service centres,’’ Mr Vora added.