BP Solar looks to a large-scale future
EcoGeneration — September/October 2011
BP Solar recently announced that it will shift its strategic direction to focus on project development activities in the medium and large-scale solar segments, winding down its distributed sales division aimed at the residential sector. EcoGeneration spoke with Douglas Smith, BP Solar Sales and Marketing Manager – Australia and Asia, about this re-direction.
What are the reasons behind BP Solar’s decision to shift its focus from the residential solar panel market to large and medium-scale solar applications?
BP Solar has a strong capability and a distinct competitive advantage in the development of large-scale energy infrastructure projects and we see strong growth opportunities in medium and large-scale solar around the world over the coming decades.
Where does BP Solar expect to have the most success developing large and medium-scale solar projects? Is Australia a prime focus for BP Solar in this regard?
Yes, Australia is a key strategic market for BP Solar and the BP Group continues its strong commitment to the Australian market as an integrated energy provider. Currently we see the USA, Southern Europe, the Middle East and Australia as the key markets for large-scale solar and we will adapt our business to capitalise on emerging market opportunities as they arise.
How will the effect the manufacturing side of BP Solar?
We will no longer manufacture modules for our distributed sales division, however the joint venture plants will continue to supply our project business and focus on third party clients to maintain their capacity.
Australia remains a focus for BP Solar
BP Solar has said that its global initiative to focus on the medium and large-scale segments of the solar industry is intended to provide a tighter focus on an important area of growth in the solar market, both in Australia and globally.
BP Solar has made it clear that this is a global decision, made after extensive study and consideration of how it can best achieve its long-term goals, and that neither the changing landscape on solar subsidies in Australia, nor the proposed carbon pricing mechanism, has had any influence on this strategic change.
The restructured company is continuing to progress the 150 megawatt Moree Solar Farm, winner of the photovoltaics component of the federally funded Solar Flagships program, and remains committed to developing other projects in the medium and large-scale segments in Australia.
Image caption: Projects such as the 8 MW BP Solar farm in Puglia, Italy (below), will now be the focus for BP Solar in Australia, and other parts of the world, after its recent announcement that large and medium-scale solar projects are its priority, as opposed to supplying solar panels for the residential sector.
Appeared in issue:
EcoGeneration — September/October 2011
Share this article on the web:
Categories:
Project,
Solar
Related Articles
· Solar water heater training resources
· ATRAA 2008 puts solar on show in Melbourne
· Neopower solar hot water systems – high efficiency means saving more
· All-Energy exhibitors take a bow
· Showstopper: Solar Shop lights up Adelaide Showground
Fri, 11 September 2009
· (Re)manufacturing efficiency
· Picking winners
Reader comments
Be the first to comment on this article.
Enter your comments below:
Tell a friend
