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BP Gives Up on Solar Power

Hartlander -- BP, an energy company that won praise from environmental activists after adopting the slogan “Beyond Petroleum” while investing heavily in solar power, is shutting down its 40-year-old solar business after executives decided solar power production is not economically competitive.

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Submitted Feb 02, 2012 By: johnnyg1200

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Throroughbred Champion Author Cleveland Posts:1,031 Points:1,210,745 Joined:Jun 2007	Message Posted: Feb 18, 2012 10:53:31 PM Ignore Throroughbred Report Abuse Solar is too costly and produces too little for little to no return. You can not make or save money with current solar techonogolies.
travelzonecente Champion Author Riverside Posts:3,541 Points:848,665 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: Feb 18, 2012 10:49:06 PM Ignore travelzonecente Report Abuse It was just a PR campaign
DrCashFlow Champion Author Massachusetts Posts:5,296 Points:1,274,200 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: Feb 3, 2012 11:16:51 PM Ignore DrCashFlow Report Abuse Yet
leemun Champion Author Utah Posts:3,603 Points:684,460 Joined:May 2010	Message Posted: Feb 3, 2012 8:09:18 PM Ignore leemun Report Abuse Whatever you may think of BP, they're obviously much smarter than Duh One.
GT3186 Champion Author Salem Posts:1,270 Points:270,780 Joined:Aug 2011	Message Posted: Feb 3, 2012 3:44:07 PM Ignore GT3186 Report Abuse Unlike governments, private companies have to stay profitable to survive. Companies like BP are interested in any energy source that financially pencils out. The fact that they are backing out of solar R&D is an indication that solar doesn't "pencil out"--and that's with government subsidies! Get rid of the subsidies and tax credits, solar and most renewables don't stand a chance (at this time) in a free market.
bar1035 Champion Author Charlotte Posts:6,599 Points:939,120 Joined:Aug 2006	Message Posted: Feb 3, 2012 3:37:23 PM Ignore bar1035 Report Abuse better stories over to right of the story with tidbits like this "Fourth, while President Harry S. Truman said the buck stops here, costing himself a lot of extra time and effort, President Obama can say the buck stops way down there, cutting his workload."
Eliano Champion Author Baltimore Posts:1,406 Points:275,725 Joined:Jun 2011	Message Posted: Feb 3, 2012 3:01:23 PM Ignore Eliano Report Abuse come on BP, invest in renewable?
1OILMAN All-Star Author Alabama Posts:990 Points:31,380 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Feb 3, 2012 11:05:57 AM Ignore 1OILMAN Report Abuse Imagine that.
roadrunnin Champion Author Richmond Posts:1,317 Points:370,240 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: Feb 3, 2012 10:47:54 AM Ignore roadrunnin Report Abuse As long as oil prices are flying high and it's use is so ingrained in our life it is not going to be more profitable for and oil company to pursue alternative fuels. Let the price of oil plummet or get so high that people say "forget about it" then alternatives are more attractive.
larharris2 Rookie Author Tennessee Posts:62 Points:188,630 Joined:Oct 2011	Message Posted: Feb 3, 2012 8:10:17 AM Ignore larharris2 Report Abuse " . . not economically competitive." Do you think?
rockymountman All-Star Author Roanoke Posts:865 Points:183,875 Joined:Jul 2011	Message Posted: Feb 3, 2012 7:49:48 AM Ignore rockymountman Report Abuse too bad.
JamesCalvin Champion Author Lancaster Posts:1,270 Points:162,300 Joined:Nov 2011	Message Posted: Feb 3, 2012 7:37:08 AM Ignore JamesCalvin Report Abuse Just noticed your post FPLREP below. Great thought! Why will we never learn? If it doesn't work in the free market economy, eventually economic realities will rule. Anybody remember the Soviet Union and it economic collapse? [Edited by: JamesCalvin at 2/3/2012 8:42:33 AM EST]
the1roadhog Champion Author Atlanta Posts:8,249 Points:1,701,505 Joined:Jun 2007	Message Posted: Feb 3, 2012 7:35:00 AM Ignore the1roadhog Report Abuse Solar has been kicking around the backwaters of alternative fuel for at least the past 50 years and can't seem to break out into viability. Might be time to give it up and move on?
JamesCalvin Champion Author Lancaster Posts:1,270 Points:162,300 Joined:Nov 2011	Message Posted: Feb 3, 2012 7:33:13 AM Ignore JamesCalvin Report Abuse Seems short sighted, but economic realities usually rule! Who has the cash?
FPLREP Champion Author Virginia Posts:6,382 Points:2,091,520 Joined:Oct 2005	Message Posted: Feb 3, 2012 7:11:56 AM Ignore FPLREP Report Abuse Deep pockets can't make it...so why does our government think that throwing money at it will change the outcome?
bullet226 Champion Author Toronto Posts:2,696 Points:530,915 Joined:Nov 2010	Message Posted: Feb 3, 2012 6:36:08 AM Ignore bullet226 Report Abuse Too much profit to be made with oil
TruthMatters All-Star Author New Jersey Posts:938 Points:202,595 Joined:Oct 2011	Message Posted: Feb 3, 2012 6:24:10 AM Ignore TruthMatters Report Abuse Guess won't be using their products anytime soon!
EVBuddy Champion Author Nevada Posts:14,879 Points:2,674,765 Joined:Sep 2004	Message Posted: Feb 3, 2012 6:24:01 AM Ignore EVBuddy Report Abuse More money in inflated oil prices
NGC4565 Champion Author Reading Posts:1,944 Points:390,115 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Feb 3, 2012 6:22:06 AM Ignore NGC4565 Report Abuse There are businesses, charities, and hobbies. Charities and hobbies are the type of endeavors that are not driven by a profit motive. BP is a business. They would not abandon a business unit if they thought it could be profitable.
Joeski1 Champion Author New Jersey Posts:7,478 Points:1,381,735 Joined:Dec 2004	Message Posted: Feb 3, 2012 6:11:16 AM Ignore Joeski1 Report Abuse it's not their business . they are not "beyond petroleum"... they should change their name to BS. 40 years in the business.. and in less than 5 years.. Trina* solar not only makes a better product.. but it costs less too.... Bp is a fossil fooler [Edited by: Joeski1 at 2/3/2012 7:11:54 AM EST]
Mark8601 Veteran Author Bakersfield Posts:424 Points:126,945 Joined:Dec 2011	Message Posted: Feb 3, 2012 5:57:08 AM Ignore Mark8601 Report Abuse Hmmm, the word 'UPGRADES" comes to mind. 40 years? Probably the supplements they were getting ran out.
MontanaMac Champion Author Washington Posts:1,083 Points:279,750 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: Feb 3, 2012 5:34:16 AM Ignore MontanaMac Report Abuse Comment of the day from SilverDodge2000.
el_fr Champion Author Massachusetts Posts:1,527 Points:385,275 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: Feb 3, 2012 5:21:57 AM Ignore el_fr Report Abuse 40 years of trying and they still could not make it work.
Sneakers55 Champion Author Houston Posts:44,887 Points:1,812,700 Joined:Nov 2005	Message Posted: Feb 3, 2012 4:54:11 AM Ignore Sneakers55 Report Abuse On Feb 3, 2012 12:10:52 AM, MN1 wrote: >Profits not high enough for big oil. Profits not high enough for anyone. Remember Solyndra.
kenji554 All-Star Author Charlotte Posts:936 Points:224,670 Joined:Jun 2011	Message Posted: Feb 3, 2012 4:50:48 AM Ignore kenji554 Report Abuse Aren't solar panels just now getting cheaper and more efficient?
BIGOILEATURCRUD Champion Author North Carolina Posts:3,665 Points:1,021,260 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Feb 3, 2012 4:46:49 AM Ignore BIGOILEATURCRUD Report Abuse Use more petroleum propaganda! Shop at the Hartlander
WR-INC Champion Author Twin Cities Posts:36,840 Points:3,265,170 Joined:Dec 2002	Message Posted: Feb 3, 2012 4:18:44 AM Ignore WR-INC Report Abuse Solar isn't practical.
OTISFL Champion Author Pensacola Posts:2,875 Points:531,565 Joined:Apr 2009	Message Posted: Feb 3, 2012 4:08:16 AM Ignore OTISFL Report Abuse BP should have been shut down immediately with the oil spill & illegal activities.
SilverDodge2000 All-Star Author Spokane Posts:871 Points:121,165 Joined:Feb 2011	Message Posted: Feb 3, 2012 3:57:34 AM Ignore SilverDodge2000 Report Abuse I have been using solar panels for 30 yrs. Between the panels, controllers and batteries they have NEVER paid for themselves. I like them but the grid is cheaper if you have access to it.
Yooperheart Champion Author Michigan Posts:1,385 Points:168,165 Joined:Feb 2010	Message Posted: Feb 3, 2012 3:40:39 AM Ignore Yooperheart Report Abuse Welcome to Chinese power and demand.
RNCII Champion Author Michigan Posts:1,794 Points:333,845 Joined:Jun 2011	Message Posted: Feb 3, 2012 2:12:58 AM Ignore RNCII Report Abuse MN1> What profit they lost money 18 out of 20 years.
Amplion Champion Author Oregon Posts:4,814 Points:1,505,270 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Feb 3, 2012 2:10:42 AM Ignore Amplion Report Abuse BP finally woke up & did the right thing !!!!!
JohnofGB Champion Author Flint Posts:3,617 Points:738,120 Joined:Feb 2010	Message Posted: Feb 3, 2012 1:36:09 AM Ignore JohnofGB Report Abuse Wish BP would give up the U.S.
xfatman Champion Author Missouri Posts:5,754 Points:1,641,045 Joined:Aug 2006	Message Posted: Feb 3, 2012 1:21:13 AM Ignore xfatman Report Abuse “In fact, the only reason a solar panel industry exists at all is because governments mandate their use and subsidize their production. And even then, solar cannot begin to compete in an open marketplace against the reliability and low cost of fossil fuels.” Even the greedy get it once in awhile!!!!!!!
Luckylindy Champion Author Milwaukee Posts:2,692 Points:772,070 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: Feb 3, 2012 12:35:21 AM Ignore Luckylindy Report Abuse You will see more as china keeps dumping panels on the market.
MN1 Champion Author Twin Cities Posts:1,528 Points:298,010 Joined:Jun 2011	Message Posted: Feb 3, 2012 12:10:52 AM Ignore MN1 Report Abuse Profits not high enough for big oil.
52MPG Champion Author Dayton Posts:5,447 Points:1,383,495 Joined:Apr 2006	Message Posted: Feb 3, 2012 12:05:20 AM Ignore 52MPG Report Abuse Another mistake by BP?
eric_tdi Sophomore Author San Jose Posts:246 Points:138,780 Joined:Jan 2010	Message Posted: Feb 3, 2012 12:00:37 AM Ignore eric_tdi Report Abuse That shows that solar not ready for prime time .. Its only 20% efficient !!
Bussman Champion Author Dallas Posts:4,138 Points:1,068,510 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Feb 2, 2012 11:59:00 PM Ignore Bussman Report Abuse About time. Not cost effective.
Vetteblu Champion Author Denver Posts:1,647 Points:469,415 Joined:Oct 2010	Message Posted: Feb 2, 2012 11:50:36 PM Ignore Vetteblu Report Abuse Why would they even think of solar? They can't rip us off as much in that area.
kitty1750 Champion Author Kitchener-Waterloo Posts:1,637 Points:321,360 Joined:Jun 2011	Message Posted: Feb 2, 2012 11:37:13 PM Ignore kitty1750 Report Abuse Too bad. Solar's the way to go.
Jeff4U Champion Author Atlanta Posts:6,573 Points:1,492,470 Joined:Nov 2004	Message Posted: Feb 2, 2012 11:36:40 PM Ignore Jeff4U Report Abuse If after 40 years a major global conglomerate can't profit on solar, you certainly can't blame them for trying - although people without an inkling of business sense (kx250 for example) thinks money grows on trees.
ktbaeohana Champion Author Las Vegas Posts:1,183 Points:264,170 Joined:Mar 2010	Message Posted: Feb 2, 2012 11:22:51 PM Ignore ktbaeohana Report Abuse Sad news.
wrunner Champion Author Virginia Posts:2,545 Points:777,240 Joined:Dec 2009	Message Posted: Feb 2, 2012 11:17:53 PM Ignore wrunner Report Abuse Too bad, so sad.
humblepie Champion Author Toledo Posts:17,395 Points:2,011,270 Joined:Mar 2006	Message Posted: Feb 2, 2012 11:12:41 PM Ignore humblepie Report Abuse unless you build them in china they just cant compete
Nicoalbum Champion Author Ottawa Posts:4,115 Points:829,630 Joined:Jan 2010	Message Posted: Feb 2, 2012 11:05:02 PM Ignore Nicoalbum Report Abuse No surprise. Oil is still a better bet.
Vette1967 Champion Author Albany Posts:4,172 Points:920,155 Joined:Jun 2009	Message Posted: Feb 2, 2012 10:51:05 PM Ignore Vette1967 Report Abuse BP needs to get their act together.
FastAndy Champion Author Indianapolis Posts:4,493 Points:1,673,565 Joined:Jun 2007	Message Posted: Feb 2, 2012 10:48:42 PM Ignore FastAndy Report Abuse Washington should give up on Solar, too.
SBlouch Champion Author San Antonio Posts:7,352 Points:1,563,605 Joined:Apr 2007	Message Posted: Feb 2, 2012 10:44:52 PM Ignore SBlouch Report Abuse Its all about the money. If a project does not make enough money then out it goes.
nurdco Champion Author Colorado Springs Posts:7,236 Points:1,334,310 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Feb 2, 2012 10:36:58 PM Ignore nurdco Report Abuse Not enough profit..