Tata BP Solar showcases solar manufacturing facilities
February 22, 2008

Tata BP Solar played host to a very special guest on February 8, 2008. The guest was Murli Deora, minister of petroleum and natural gas, Government of India. Accompanying the minister were S Srinivasan, secretary, ministry of petroleum and natural gas, and Arun Balakrishnan, chairman and managing director, HPCL.

The minister visited the solar cell and module manufacturing facility, where the Tata BP Solar team explained the complex manufacturing processes of converting a silicon wafer to a solar cell and the subsequent assembly to modules.

A presentation was made on the successful projects executed by Tata BP Solar in the oil and gas sector. The presentation portrayed the strengths of the company in implementing large and complex projects and also touched upon the opportunities for increased role of solar solutions in the sector.

The minister was highly excited by the prospects of photovoltaic technology and felt that it should be encouraged. Commenting on the manufacturing facility of Tata BP Solar, the minister called it "excellent and high tech".

Reinhard Hans Butikofer, a German politician and chairman of Alliance 90 / The Greens Party visited Tata BP Solar on February 5, 2008.

He was conducted around the cell and module manufacturing facilities, after which a presentation was made on key projects executed globally by BP Solar, with specific focus on projects executed in Germany. The presentation also touched upon the business strategy of Tata BP Solar.

Mr Butikofer was impressed by the facility and commented: "I strongly feel the need to develop a brotherhood of solar enthusiasts throughout the world. I appreciate your efforts in that respect and wish you much more success in the years to come."

In addition to his political work in the party, Mr Butikofer plays an important and engaged role in public life. Among other things, he sits on the advisory council of the Heinrich B611 Foundation and on the board of trustees of the Aspen Institute.