November 16, 2006

BP Plans $70 Million Expansion

BP Solar is planning a $70 million expansion project at its North American headquarters in Frederick, MD. The expansion will nearly double the facility’s current casting and sizing capacity to approximately 150 MW. Other plans include an upgrade of the interior of the facility by employing sustainable design components.
 
This expansion will make BP Solar’s Frederick facility the largest fully integrated plant in North America. It calls for the construction of 140,000 square feet of new building space, nearly double its casting, sizing, and wafering manufacturing capacity.

Construction is slated to begin in the first half of 2007 and finish by the end of 2008 pending approval of local permits.

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 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.

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