Tata BP Solar Develops BIPV and New Style Solar Cooker

Tata BP Solar, a joint venture of the Tata Power Co. and BP Solar, have developed building integrated PV (BIPV) modules that provide heat and sound insulation to buildings as well as solar electricity.

BANGALORE, India 2002-03-12 [SolarAccess.com] Tata BP Solar, a joint venture of the Tata Power Co. and BP Solar, have developed building integrated PV (BIPV) modules that provide heat and sound insulation to buildings as well as solar electricity. A spokesman for the company said testing on the the BIPV modules in the United States should be completed in about a month. In addition to BIPV, the company plans to introduce wind-PV hybrid devices for road safety, disaster management and other uses. The company is aiming at 30 percent growth per year in its exports for the next two to three years. The company will also launch its solar cooker in a big way all over the country shortly. The new parabolic solar cooker which replaces the existing box type cooker can be dismantled and reassembled and cooks faster than the box type. The company believes new solar cooker has export potential in developing countries, which the company plans to tap with a major effort. In addition to solar PV modules, which forms the major portion of exports, the company is attempting to sell packaged products like lighting kits abroad. In an attempt to take its products, services and training nearer to the customers, the company is embarking upon opening a network of solar shops in second and third level towns in the country. The solar shops will provide access and visibility of solar products to people in these towns and are aimed at creating more awareness of the products and improving the sales. At present, five such shops have been started on an experimental basis and the company is planning to increase it to 25 by the end of the year.