BP plc is the #3 sized company where global energy is concerned as well as being the world’s 5th largest company and the largest company in the UK.  It is also considered to be one of the world’s largest corporations relative to private sector energy.  Most individuals know the corporation for being a multi-national oil corporation as well as being associated with natural gas, oil, and petroleum exploration.

Despite beginning operations in 1909, BP’s actually began operating in 1901 when the Shah of Iran granted permission to William Knox D’Arcy for oil exploration in the country.  It was discovered 7 years later and is still considered as the Middle East’s first and most significant find of oil and petroleum.  Since 1973, the company has become very involved in the solar energy industry and BP Solar, BP’s subsidiary corporation, was born.

About BP Solar

Having experience for over 30 years now and having installations in over 160 countries, BP Solar is one of the largest solar energy corporations in the world.  In addition to the main manufacturing facility in the UK, the corporation now has facilities operating in Australia, China, India, Spain, and the US.  It is considered to be a global corporation and now employs over 2,200 individuals as well as being one of the world’s largest users of solar energy.  BP Solar products can be found in use at all of the corporation’s facilities.

The corporation was developed because of a growing concern early on to find more sources of cleaner and renewable energy.  The conservation of our planet’s natural resources and the safeguarding of the environment were the primary concerns when BP Solar first began operations, and they are still committed to that today.  Because of the fact that they are one of the largest integrated energy corporations in the world they looked beyond the more traditional energy sources and began focusing on solar energy.

Accomplishments

Probably the most significant accomplishment that BP Solar has witnessed is the fact that they have performed installations in over 160 countries to date.  It is estimated that all of these global installations combined will eventually offset nearly 14 million metric tons of Carbon Dioxide in the course of their lifetimes.  This equates to the planting of over 5 million acres of trees.

Ongoing advancements and innovations

In 2007, BP Solar began the construction on two new solar cell manufacturing facilities.  The first one is located in Madrid, Spain which is the site of the corporation’s headquarters in Western Europe.  The second is a joint venture located in Bangalore, India and is called Tata BP Solar.

The goal at the Madrid plant is to increase its annual Megawatt storage capacity from 55 to 300 MW.  The expansion in Bangalore should equate to a 300 MW increase to the company’s existing capacity.  Due to an increasing shortage of silicon, both facilities are employing advanced and innovative technology in order to manufacture thinner solar cells of the highest quality possible.

 

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