Tata BP Solar eyes alternative energy
The Economic Times — March 24, 2007

Tata BP Solar, a Bangalore based 51:49 joint venture of BP Solar and Tata Power, is looking at exploring opportunities in other alternative energy sources like wind, hydrogen, natural gas (low carbon) and hydro apart from their existing solar energy business. Tata BP Solar also plans to invest $300 million over a 300-mw cell manufacturing plant to be launched by 2010 in Bangalore. This would be the largest manufacturing plant for BP Solar globally.

Currently BP Solar has manufacturing capacity in Spain, US, Sydney and China. BP Solar is a part of BP Alternative Energy, which over the next 10 years aims to invest $8 billion globally in solar, wind, hydrogen and natural gas power technology. BP`s investments in India include Castrol India and Tata BP Solar. Speaking to ET, Lee Edwards, President & CEO, BP Solar said, "The JV with Tata Power has huge potential, therefore we could look at more opportunities in other alternative energy sources.

Tata BP Solar has been witnessing around 40 per cent growth in India over the last two years." The company has recorded revenue of Rs 650 crore this fiscal as against Rs 433 crore last year. Currently 60 per cent of the solar cell produced in Bangalore is exported to Europe. Tata BP solar has added a 36-mw solar photovoltaic (PV) production line capacity with an investment of $22 million to the existing 16 mw taking the total cell manufacturing capacity to 52 mw per annum.