BP Solar this week unveiled its plans for a $70 million expansion project at its North

American headquarters in Frederick, MD. The expansion will result in nearly doubling the facility's current casting and sizing capacity to approximately 150 MegaWatts.

"This is a significant investment in a world-class and well-established business," said Bob Malone, chairman and president of BP America. "This expansion will keep us in command of a growing industry by meeting future demand and providing innovative products to the market."

The expansion plans call for the construction of 140,000 square feet of new building space allowing the company to nearly double its casting, sizing, and wafering manufacturing capacity. Plans also include the relocation and integration of local warehousing and shipping facilities to the current site.

According to Lee Edwards, BP Solar CEO, "In addition to expanding our manufacturing capacity, our plans are to upgrade the interior of the existing facilities and to use sustainable building techniques such as a roof garden, bio-retention, extensive water recycling and the utilization of LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) design components such as energy efficient lighting, heating and cooling."

Other planned improvements include additional office and meeting space, more daylight access to office and manufacturing facilities, an auditorium, and solar and environmental educational stations which will be available for tours and school groups.

BP Solar is a key business within BP Alternative Energy and a global company with over 2200 employees focused on harnessing the sun's energy to produce solar electricity. This includes the design, manufacture and marketing of quality solar electric systems for a wide range of applications in the residential, commercial and industrial sectors.

With over 30 years of experience and installations in over 160 countries, BP

Solar is one of the world's largest solar companies and has manufacturing facilities in the U.S., Spain, India and Australia. BP Solar is part of BP, one of the world's leading energy companies.

To learn more, visit the BP Solar North America webpage.

11/17/2006