Tata BP Solar - Inheritors of a rich legacy

BACKGROUND

Established in 1989, Tata BP Solar is a Joint Venture between Tata Power Company, a pioneer in the power sector and BP Solar one of the largest Solar Companies in the world Over the years, Tata BP Solar has built on this rich lineage to become one of the largest Solar Companies in Asia.

Tata BP Solar uses state-of-the-art technology to offer high quality, innovative solar solutions that cater to the needs of individual customers, large institutions as well as entire communities.

Manufacturing Facilities

Tata BP Solar has a fully integrated Solar Manufacturing Plant, including Cell Manufacture, Module Assembly and Balance of Systems (BOS), all at one site. The design and integration of PCU, Charge Controller and related electronics as well as the integration of the rest of BOS in the facility, makes it a complete Solar Solution Provider.

Tata BP Solar’s manufacturing facilities for Solar Photovoltaic and Solar Thermal Products and Systems are the largest of their kind in the country. The sophisticated and most modern 52 MW Solar Cell manufacturing plant is India’s first and places the company firmly on the solar world map. The company would be adding 128 MW to its capacity by early next year to augment the capacity to 180 MW. This is a part of its mega expansion plan to ultimately realize a manufacturing capacity of 300 MW. Tata BP Solar’s Module Manufacturing Facility is one of the largest of its kind in the region with a capacity of 125 MWp.

Tata BP Solar not only caters to Indian markets and the SAARC Region, but also supplements BP Solar’s requirement all over the world. It also provides support for engineering and technology development to BP Solar.

The talent pool at Tata BP Solar comprises over 1000 employees spread over 4 Manufacturing Units and 9 Offices..

Current Portfolio

Tata BP Solar provides customized solar solutions that illuminate homes, streets and communities; pump water to thirsty fields and heat water for residential and commercial applications. It also provides reliable and cost-effective solar power to wide-ranging sectors from education and banking to healthcare and telecommunications. Specialist applications include Solar Power Systems for Railway Signaling Systems and Offshore Platforms.

Solar Road Safety Aids and Building Integrated Photovoltaics also form part of the Tata BP Solar offerings. Building Integrated Photovoltaic (BIPV) modules can be used as a substitute for glass in buildings to generate power. Tata BP Solar was, in fact, the first in India to design, engineer and market BIPV.

Tata BP Solar is planning several strategic diversifications to complement and augment its current product mix, which will be in harmony with the policy of being market leaders in Solar Photovoltaic and Solar Thermal Systems through constant quality improvement, innovation and customer satisfaction.

NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL APPROVALS

Tata BP Solar has the distinction of obtaining ISO 9001 quality accreditation and ISO 14001 environmental standards accreditation from BVQI, London. Tata BP Solar products and systems have been accorded approvals by various test agencies such as

	ISPRA - Italy
	Underwriters Laboratories (UL)
	Factory Mutual (FM)
	Solar Energy Centre (MNES)
	Telecommunication Engineering Centre (DOT)
	STQC, under the Ministry of Information Technology, Govt. of India
	DGS&D
	CQAL
	ONGC
	Central Power Research Institute
	World Health Organization
	Bureau of Indian Standards
	Asian Institute of Technology
	Arizona State University - USA
	Research Designs and Standards Organizations (RDSO)

Solar Modules from Tata BP Solar have also been awarded the internationally-recognized PV GAP Quality Mark. A much sought-after quality recognition in the PV industry in recent years, the PV GAP Quality Mark awarded to Tata BP Solar for its 1 Wp to 80 Wp TBP Mono and Poly Crystalline Solar PV Modules, places the Company in an enviable position amongst five other Companies.

The BP Solar Module Series have also been awarded the PV GAP Quality Mark.

Strong Financials

The global Solar PV Industry is poised to continue its rapid growth in years to come. Reflecting this global optimism is Tata BP Solar. Its Sales History has been dramatic – from a modest Rs.16 million in 1991-92 to a phenomenal Rs.11,471 million in 2008-09.

Exports

Tata BP Solar has the distinction of being the only Indian solar company to regularly export its products and systems to dozens of countries across five continents! The company recorded an export business of Rs.9086 Million for the year 2007-08. More than 95% of this business is to the quality-conscious markets of Europe and America. The company has also made some very successful forays in the neighbouring countries of Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar and Dubai.

Awards

	EFY Readers Choice Award in Solar Cells Category for 2009
	Certificate of Merit for Best Presented Accounts & Corporate Governance Disclosure Awards 2008
	Golden Peacock Innovation Award 2009 for Excellence in Innovation
	EEPC Export Excellence Award for Star Performer as Large Enterprise under Product Category of Miscellaneous Engineering Goods for the year 2007 -08
	Unnatha Suraksha Puraskara Award for Outstanding Safety Performance and Management Systems for the year 2006 - 08
	ICAI award for Excellence in Financial Reporting for the year 2008.
	Enertia Project Management award 2008 for Rural Electrification of Chattisgarh.
	Golden Peacock Award 2008 for Occupational Safety and Health.
	First Prize for Solar Water Manufacturer (2002-07) instituted by MNRE.
	ESC export award for “Electronic components” in the non-SSI category for 2005-06
	Gold Award in the Engineering Category of the Indian Manufacturing Excellence Award (IMEA) 2005, instituted by Frost & Sullivan
	ELCINA Award for Outstanding Achievement in Exports in the Large Scale Sector, for the year 2003 - 2004, from the Electronic Industries Association of India
	First Prize for maximum Solar Water Heaters installed during 1996 2004, from the Govt. of Karnataka and the Karnataka Renewable Energy Development Ltd.
	Sectoral Award instituted by the Electronics and Computer Software Export Promotion Council (India), in recognition of its export performance in the Non-SSI Category
	First Prize in the Non-SSI/Electronics Category for Outstanding Export Performance for the years 2000, 2001, 2001-2002, 2002 03 and 2003-04. The Awards are instituted by the Department of Industries and Commerce, Govt. of Karnataka.
	The International Award for Best Performance for the year 2001 2002, from the Council of International Awards, UK

ARUNODAYA

Solar Powered Products play a critical role in healing the world, conserving the planet's fast-depleting resources and accelerating development in energy-starved regions. Tata BP Solar believes that while it is important to create solar solutions that can be Seamlessly integrated into the lives of our customers, it is equally important to get people to see Solar Energy, in the right light. It is this belief that has shaped Arunodaya, a unique initiative of Tata BP Solar.

Arunodaya aims at engaging like-minded individuals, decision-makers and opinion-leaders in an ongoing dialogue on Solar Energy, its versatile applications, its economic viability, its relevance in the future and its awesome potential in enhancing the quality of life of millions across the world.

The activities of this not-for-profit Programme include regular interactive sessions, with NGOs, Educational Institutions, Research Establishments and Industries, with the objective of promoting and propagating Solar Energy. These Workshops are conducted all over the country.

COMMUNITY SERVICE

As a long term community development initiative, Tata BP Solar partners with two NGOs (APSA and Yuvalok), to support the education of underprivileged children and enable them to join the mainstream of life.Some of the initiatives include:

	Providing school uniforms, Shoes, Notebooks to 575 children in both institutions.
	Setting up a Computer Lab, providing Audio Visual Equipment and donating Play Equipment at these Institutions.
	Donating four Sewing Machines, which have helped young girls learn life skills and become economically independent.
	Setting up a Computer Lab at National Child Labour Project

Additionally, Tata BP Solar has also:

	Donated and successfully installed 25 Solar Streetlights in the earthquake-devastated villages of Urusa, Chakara, Gwaita, Isham and Nawarunda.
	Organized technical lectures for students of various institutions, to spread awareness about Solar Energy, its applications and advantages.
	Donated Solar Modules and Solar Cells for Solar Energy Workshop organized by the Maharashtra Institute of Technology (MIT). More than 150 teachers and a few students participated in the Workshop. The Modules and Cells will be used as teaching material and demonstration aid to students of high schools in remote villages.
	Participated in the ‘Million Seed Balls’ campaign promoted by the BCIL-Altech Foundation.
	Organised Blood Donation Camps.
	Presented Rs.38,000/- to ELCIA to support the Midday Meal Scheme for the school children in the vicinity of Electronic City.
	“Driving India Forward” – company donated a 17-seater Force Traveller vehicle to Yuvalok Foundation to help them ferry children to and from school.

Major International Projects

The Maldives Case Study

The tropical paradise of the Maldives comprises 1,190 coral islands, forming an archipelago of 26 major atolls. Perfectly combining the sun, sand and sea, massive lagoons, dazzling underwater coral gardens and a rich marine life, Maldives is the destination of choice for thousands of scuba divers and snorkeling enthusiasts. Even as tourists flock to its Robinson Crusoe islands, there is growing concern for the fragile environment of this pristine land.

The Republic of Maldives was also the destination of choice for UNIDO Austria, for the latter's program to propagate Renewable Energy Technologies in the Asian region. Following extensive research to identify islands for propagating solar power, Tata BP Solar proposed a complete package for a pilot project, on a supply and I&C basis. The pilot system includes 5KWp Solar Power System and 3kW Wind Generator.

Connecting people in Bhutan & Afghanistan

In the picturesque Kingdom of Bhutan, a quiet revolution is taking place... a telecom revolution linking remote and isolated hamlets together. Playing a significant role in this revolution is Tata BP Solar, which has been chosen to supply Solar Power Systems for the CORDECT Telecom network spread all over Bhutan. The CORDECT network includes VOIP, Switching System, Backbone Network and Subscriber Terminals. The 410 kiloWatt (kW) project was valued at approx 2.6 Million Euro.

A Project of Alcatel Contracting GmbH, Germany, funded by DANIDA, Denmark, the Solar Power Systems have been used by Bhutan Telecom - a long-standing, satisfied customer of Tata BP Solar. The order was won against stiff global competition.

After the Alcatel Order, Tata BP Solar was chosen to supply 55 nos. of Solar Power Systems for the WLL Telecom network being set up to connect remote areas of Afghanistan.

The landlocked mountainous country of Afghanistan is one of the world's least developed countries. The political and military unrest, the severe drought, the earthquakes have all aggravated the situation in this country. Rebuilding of telecommunication links is one of the priority areas of the international efforts to rebuild Afghanistan.

The order has been awarded by UNDP / UNOPS (United Nation Development Program / United Nations office for Project Services), a long-standing, satisfied customer of Tata BP Solar. A complete design for a trial lot of 55 stations was proposed by Tata BP on a supply basis only. UNDP technical staff would take care of the installation of these systems.

Bridging the digital divide in the Emerald Isle

Many rural schools in Sri Lanka have no access to grid power. As a result children in villages are deprived of IT education. The "SPACE (Solar Photovoltaic Aided Computer Education) Project" is in synergy with the policy of the Sri Lankan Government to empower rural schools with IT education.

Following detailed island-wide surveys over 18 months, jointly with government officials, a complete package of Solar PV System and the required IT Peripherals were offered by Tata BP Solar, along with Installation and commissioning support and a three year warranty.

The pilot project, covering 100 schools in all provinces of Sri Lanka would expose over 75,000 primary students and an equal number of senior citizens to computers.

The order was supplied in a record time of 10 weeks!