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 obby Fletcher's Amoco station here has something extra
going for it in addition to quality products and customer-pleasing
service. The station now is a working demonstration of how the
sun can power today's businesses.
 At a
Grand Opening ceremony last month, an array of solar modules
atop the pump island canopy was officially connected to the station's
regular power supply. The solar array will contribute directly
to the station's bottom line by reducing Fletcher's monthly electric
bill. The "thin film" solar modules at the station
generate up to six kilowatts of electricity, enough to light
the inside of the store and run some of the store equipment.
The solar
modules, manufactured by BP Solarex, are part of BP Amoco project
aimed at demonstrating real-world applications of solar electricity
and how businesses and residences alike can benefit from solar
power.
At the event,
it was announced BP Amoco will sponsor an education program in
Maryland intended to improve students' understanding of solar
energy. Working with the Maryland Energy Administration and BP
Solarex, the company will help fund a permanent solar energy
demonstration program at six elementary and middle schools. Each
school will receive and have installed a solar array and a solar
electric meter. And, in an effort to further promote solar energy
education, a special solar energy classroom curriculum designed
by BP Solarex will be made available to schools statewide.
"BP Amoco
is committed to providing energy that helps reduce emissions
while continuing to provide the fuels that ensure mobility for
everyone," said Raymond Brasser, senior vice president of
the BP Amoco Atlantic Business Unit. "The solar modules
at this station are evidence of how business needs for clean
energy can be met while helping to reduce operating costs."
Solar electricity
is an important element of BP Amoco's three-part effort to reduce
global emissions. The company has set a goal of a 10 percent
reduction in emissions from its own operations by 2010 from a
1990 base line. It has introduced a variety of cleaner fuels
in cities around the world, including the American debut in July
of low-sulfur premium gasoline in Atlanta and a similar roll-out
in Chicago, October 14. And, the company recently began installing
solar electric arrays at service stations in Europe and Australia.
Fletcher's
Amoco is the first service station in the world to supplement
its regular electric supply with thin film solar modules. BP
Amoco is considering possible solar electric installations at
other service stations in the US.
In addition
to the business and technical knowledge gained from the solar
project at Fletcher's Amoco, a special promotion was launched
November 1 to allow customers to directly support a local solar
energy education program. BP Amoco donated a penny for every
gallon of gasoline pumped in November at Fletcher's Amoco to
fund a special solar energy education project at nearby Olney
Elementary School.
"Although
BP Amoco has operations around the world, it is our presence
in communities like Olney where we must make a difference,"
Brasser said. "Our success will ultimately be measured by
how well we connect with our customers. Projects like this that
combine solar electric innovations at our stations, educational
opportunities for our young people, and support from our customers
are a step in the right direction."
BP Amoco is
a global energy company with operations in 100 countries on six
continents. Formed of the 1998 merger of British Petroleum and
Amoco Corporation, BP Amoco is among the top three energy companies
in the world. With offices in Towson, MD, and Parsippany, NJ,
the Atlantic Business Unit is part of BP Amoco's US Retail group
and manages service stations in seven states and the District
of Columbia.
BP Solarex
is a unit of BP Amoco and headquartered in Frederick, MD. With
a global market share of 20 percent and annual revenues of more
than $160 million, BP Solarex is at the forefront of the international
solar electric industry and is the largest manufacturer of solar
electric modules and systems. 
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