Bp has been involved in solar power since 1973 and its subsidiary, bp solar, is a solar power company with production facilities in the united states, india and the people’s republic of china, employing a workforce of over 2,000 people worldwide. Bp solar has begun constructing two new solar photovoltaic (pv) solar cell manufacturing plants, one at its european headquarters in madrid, and the second at its joint venture facility, tata bp solar, in bangalore, india. Bp solar, a unit of bp plc, and other solar companies are seeing demand for the renewable energy systems pick up after a dismal year of difficult financing and a tumble in panel prices, but panel prices will continue to drop. Bp solar has been in the industry for nearly 40 years and has about 1 gigawatt of installed or sold capacity for solar power systems. To achieve optimal energy yield while reducing these installation and maintenance challenges and costs, bp solar is working to integrate solaredge’s and other active electronics directly into their modules. In support of this activity, bp solar and solaredge have been awarded a research grant by the israeli and us governments as part of the bird (bi-national industrial research and development) foundation, which contributes to joint development. Bp solar expects that the demand for solar products in north america and europe will continue increase and as such it has extended its manufacturing contract with jabil circuit. Bp solar designs, manufactures and markets products which use the sun’s energy to generate electricity for use in the residential, commercial and industrial sectors.