Beatrice Lang
BP Solar was a manufacturer and installer of photovoltaic solar cells and panels, headquartered in Madrid, Spain. It was a subsidiary of BP, with production facilities in North America, Europe, Australia, and Asia. BP Solar provided solar power to over 160 countries and was involved in several projects in developing countries. In 2011, BP Solar ceased operations due to dwindling international investments and increased competition from low-cost solar panel manufacturers in Asia. While BP no longer sells solar power systems, they continue to honour their warranties. In 2025, BP announced its intention to sell 50% of its solar unit Lightsource bp to a strategic partner, seeking cash and future investment commitments.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Company | BP Solar |
| Type | Manufacturer and installer of photovoltaic solar cells |
| Headquarters | Madrid, Spain |
| Production Facilities | North America, Europe, Australia, Asia |
| Parent Company | BP |
| Years Active | 1981-2011 |
| Peak Power Rating | 250-280 watts |
| Efficiency | 13% |
| Warranty | 25 years |
| CO2 Offset | 14 million metric tons |
| Number of Homes Powered | 713,000 |
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What You'll Learn
BP Solar's history and closure
BP Solar was a subsidiary of BP, headquartered in Madrid, Spain, with production facilities in Frederick, Maryland, India, and China. It manufactured and installed photovoltaic solar cells and was a part of BP's Alternative Energy business.
BP Solar was formed in 1981 when BP acquired 50% of Lucas Energy Systems, which became Lucas BP Solar Systems. By the mid-1980s, the company was wholly owned by BP. In 1998, BP merged with Amoco, acquiring its 50% stake in Solarex. The following year, BP acquired Enron's stake in Solarex, and the company became the world's leading PV producer. In 1999, the division was renamed BP Solar.
BP Solar had a global presence, with installations in over 160 countries and projects in developing countries, including Indonesia, the Philippines, and Malaysia. They supplied power to remote villages and homes and supported telecommunications network restoration with solar power.
However, BP Solar began facing challenges in the 2000s with the influx of low-cost solar panel products from Asian countries, which impacted their market dominance. In 2009, they started restructuring, closing high-cost manufacturing locations, including the factory in Frederick, Maryland, in 2010, impacting hundreds of jobs. BP Solar officially closed on December 21, 2011, when BP exited the solar energy business. Despite the closure, BP continues to develop solar projects through Lightsource bp, demonstrating its ongoing commitment to renewable energy solutions.
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BP Solar's installations and projects
BP Solar was a subsidiary of BP that designed, manufactured, and marketed solar electric systems for homeowners, businesses, and governments. It was a global company with over 2200 employees and performed installations in over 160 countries. BP Solar supplied power to 36,000 homes in rural Indonesia, installed 1000 solar devices to power 400 remote villages in the Philippines, and set up electrification in remote parts of Malaysia to power 30,000 homes.
In the mid-1980s, BP installed solar power for Microwave repeater stations across Sierra Leone to support a telecommunications network restoration. BP Solar also commercialized a long-life deep cycle lead-acid battery, called the GreenGel battery, which is well-suited for storing electricity in renewable remote area power systems.
BP Solar was headquartered in Madrid, Spain, with production facilities in India, China, Frederick, MD, North America, Europe, Australia, and Asia. It was in business for 40 years before closing in 2011 due to dwindling international investments in its facilities and the influx of low-cost solar panel products from Asia.
In 2024, Lightsource bp, a solar developer platform, became active in 19 markets with more than 2 GW of assets constructed. Lightsource bp has developed over 4.1 gigawatts of US solar projects, including the Arche Solar project in Ohio and Peacock Solar in Texas, providing lower-carbon energy to industrial customers.
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BP Solar's technology and products
BP Solar was a manufacturer and installer of photovoltaic solar cells and panels. Headquartered in Madrid, Spain, the company had production facilities in Frederick, MD, India, and the People's Republic of China. BP Solar was a subsidiary of BP and became a wholly-owned company in the mid-1980s.
BP Solar designed, manufactured, and marketed solar electric systems for homeowners, businesses, and governments. They supplied power to 36,000 homes in rural Indonesia, installed 1000 solar devices to power 400 remote villages in the Philippines, and set up electrification in remote areas of Malaysia to power 30,000 homes.
BP Solar was also involved in the commercialization of a long-life deep cycle lead-acid battery, the GreenGel battery, which is well-suited for renewable remote area power systems (RAPS). Their most recent PV modules were manufactured with polycrystalline and monocrystalline solar cells, with a max wattage of 280 and 13% efficiency.
BP Solar ceased operations in 2011 due to dwindling international investments and the influx of low-cost solar panel products from Asia. Despite this, BP Solar's modules installed worldwide will offset more than 14 million metric tons of CO2 during their lifetime, equivalent to planting over five million acres of trees.
Today, BP is seeking to sell 50% of its solar unit Lightsource bp, which has developed over 4.1 gigawatts of US solar projects, powering more than 713,000 homes each year with renewable electricity.
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BP Solar's customers and markets
BP Solar was a global company headquartered in Madrid, Spain, with production facilities in Frederick, MD, India, and the People's Republic of China. It was a subsidiary of BP, which acquired Lucas Energy Systems in 1981, becoming Lucas BP Solar Systems. The company became wholly owned by BP in the mid-1980s and was later renamed BP Solar in 2001.
BP Solar designed, manufactured, and marketed solar electric systems for homeowners, businesses, and governments. It was a key part of BP's Alternative Energy business, and at its peak, it had facilities in North America, Europe, Australia, and Asia, with installations in over 160 countries. BP Solar provided solar power to 36,000 homes in rural Indonesia, installed 1000 solar devices to power 400 remote villages in the Philippines, and set up electrification in remote areas of Malaysia, providing power to 30,000 homes.
In addition to its international projects, BP Solar also had a significant impact in the United States. Lightsource BP, a solar developer, has developed over 4.1 gigawatts of US solar projects, powering more than 713,000 homes annually. The Arche Solar project in Ohio and Peacock Solar in Texas are examples of their work in providing lower-carbon energy to industrial customers.
BP Solar was a manufacturer and installer of photovoltaic solar cells, also known as PV modules. These modules were designed to offset more than 14 million metric tons of CO2 during their lifetime, which is equivalent to planting over five million acres of trees. While BP Solar closed in 2011, BP continues to honour its warranties for its solar products.
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BP Solar's partnerships and acquisitions
BP Solar was a subsidiary of BP that manufactured and installed photovoltaic solar cells. Headquartered in Madrid, Spain, it had production facilities in Frederick, MD, India, and the People's Republic of China.
BP Solar had a long history of partnerships and acquisitions that contributed to its growth and expansion in the solar energy industry. Here is an overview of some key partnerships and acquisitions:
- Lucas BP Solar Systems: In 1981, BP acquired 50% of Lucas Energy Systems, which later became Lucas BP Solar Systems. By the mid-1980s, the company was wholly owned by BP.
- Solarex: When BP merged with Amoco in 1998, it acquired Amoco's 50% stake in Solarex. The following year, BP also acquired Enron's stake in Solarex, consolidating its PV divisions into a new subsidiary named BP Solarex.
- Tata BP Solar: In 1989, BP Solar established a joint venture with the Indian firm Tata Power, creating Tata BP Solar. The company began commercial operations in 1991, establishing its first manufacturing unit in India with a production capacity of 3 MW. However, in 2012, BP Solar exited this joint venture, and Tata BP Solar became a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Tata Group.
- Lightsource bp: BP has made significant moves towards acquiring and partnering with Lightsource bp, one of the world's leading developers and operators of utility-scale solar and battery storage assets. In November 2023, BP announced its agreement to acquire the remaining 50.03% interest in Lightsource bp. This acquisition expands BP's presence globally in the onshore renewable energy industry, with a focus on solar and battery storage.
- Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO): BP Solar, in collaboration with CSIRO, was involved in commercializing a long-life deep cycle lead-acid battery, the GreenGel battery. This battery technology is well-suited for renewable remote area power systems (RAPS) and reduces capacity loss and premature failure associated with existing battery technology.
These partnerships and acquisitions reflect BP Solar's commitment to renewable energy and solar power development, contributing to its position as one of the world's leading solar companies.
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Frequently asked questions
BP Solar was a manufacturer and installer of photovoltaic solar cells. They designed, manufactured, and marketed solar electric systems for homeowners, businesses, and governments. BP Solar provided solar cells, panels, charge controllers, and inverters.
BP Solar had production facilities in North America, Europe, Australia, and Asia, with installations in over 160 countries. The company was headquartered in Madrid, Spain, with other production facilities in Frederick, MD, India, and the People's Republic of China.
BP Solar closed in 2011 due to dwindling international investments and increasing competition from low-cost solar panel products from Asian countries.
BP is currently seeking to sell 50% of its solar unit, Lightsource BP, to a strategic partner. Lightsource BP has developed over 4.1 gigawatts of US solar projects and is expanding into battery storage and onshore wind.
