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BP Solar Panels (History, Lawsuit & Alternatives)
Here’s what we’ll cover about BP Solar:
- Does BP Solar still sell panels?
- BP Solar lawsuit
- Alternative options to BP solar panels
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What Was BP Solar?
BP Solar was at one point one of the largest manufacturers of photovoltaic (PV) solar energy technology in the world and stayed in business for 40 years. It was a key part of BP’s alternative energy business, manufacturing various aspects of solar systems including solar cells, panels, charge controllers and inverters. At its peak, the company had facilities in North America, Europe, Australia and Asia and performed installations in over 160 countries.1
The company finally closed in 2011 after years of dwindling international investments in its facilities.2 The 2000s saw an influx of low-cost solar panel products from Asian countries which started chipping away at BP’s dominance in the solar power market. With the financial crisis of 2009 weighing on its bottom line, the rest of BP Solar eventually folded.
The sole remaining presence of BP in the solar power industry is the share it maintains in Lightsource BP, a global company developing and managing solar projects.3 It has a major presence in Europe. BP’s share in renewable energy worldwide exists mostly through its projects in wind power.4
| BP Solar Fast Facts | |
| Year Founded | 1981 |
| Year of Closure | 2011 |
| U.S. Headquarters | Houston, TX5 |
| Manufacturing Facilities | Frederick, MD6 |
Blue Raven Solar
Best Solar Financing
Pros
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
Cons
- Doesn't offer solar batteries (coming 2022)
Blue Raven Solar
Best Solar Financing
Pros
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
Cons
- Doesn't offer solar batteries (coming 2022)
Are BP Solar Panel Still Sold?
BP Solar closed up shop in 2011 and no longer sells solar power systems. There may still be some BP solar panels in circulation, but the technology behind these modules is over a decade old, rendering them nearly obsolete.
The most recent PV modules that BP Solar manufactured were made with polycrystalline and monocrystalline solar cells. BP maxed out at 280 watt solar panel that had 13% efficiency.7 If you can find BP solar panels on the market, their approximately 250 watt power ratings make them feasible only for off-grid or other small-scale purposes. Although BP Solar is no longer in business, BP still honors its warranties.
Watch Below: Check out this video for a closer look at BP solar panels.
BP Solar Lawsuit
In 2016, a few years after the company’s closure, a class-action lawsuit against BP Solar claiming its panels were defective ended in a settlement.
A line of solar panels manufactured between 1999 and 2007 with an S-type junction box (“Class Panels”) were ruled to be prone to a high failure rate. These failures could cause burn marks at the junction box, shattered glass and pose a potential fire hazard.
According to official reports, the settlement generally includes anyone in the U.S. who purchased the panels for installation on a property or purchased a property on which they had already been installed and still own some or all of those panels.8
Alternatives to BP Solar Panels
If you’re looking for high-quality alternatives to BP, consider a few of the following solar modules for residential grid-tied installations.
| Manufacturer | Current Panel | Efficiency | Power Rating |
| Qcells | Q.PEAK DUO ML-G10+ | 20.9% | 405 W |
| SunPower | SunPower M-Series | 22.0% | 425 W |
| Silfab | Silfab Elite Series | 21.4% | 380 W |
| Panasonic | Panasonic Evervolt Black Series | 21.2% | 370 W |
The best way to figure out which type of solar panel is best for your installation is to consult with a solar company near you. To find a world-class provider in your area, you can visit our page on the best solar installation companies.
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Comparing authorized solar partners
Average cost
Pros
Cons
BBB Rating
Year founded
Service Area
Brands of Solar Equipment Offered
Warranty Coverage
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- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries (coming 2022)
A+Best Solar Financing2014Trina Solar, Canadian Solar, SolarEdge, Silfab, SunPower25-year manufacturer warranty; 10-year workmanship warranty, 2-year production guarantee
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