BP Solar Inaugurates $12 Million Expansion to Solar Plant

The latest part of BP Solar’s factory in Homebush, Sydney, Australia was inaugurated today.

The most recent addition to the facility consists of automated machinery worth $12 million. The new equipment will help BP boost production by some 40%, resulting in an annual output of 35 megawatts. The expansions make the factory the largest solar manufacturing plant in the southern hemisphere.

The potential for growth in Australia is huge given the climate and the relatively low number of houses currently using solar energy. Australia accounts for less than 1 per cent of the world’s grid-connected solar systems. Expansion is dependent on the growth of Australia’s roof top and residential grid connected systems.

Further adoption of solar energy in Australia would not only create more jobs in the field, but would also help reduce greenhouse gas emissions in Australia.

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