BYD will supply 170 MW of solar modules to NextEra Energy, a U.S.-based renewable energy project developer. BYD completed several rounds of quality and performance tests to win the contract.

Speaking at the Solar Power International convention, Tom Zhao, Managing Director of BYD Solar Division, described how the development of BYD’s integrated PV and energy storage program, especially the commercial operation of the world’s first integrated PV and energy storage project in the UK, helped set the stage for the company’s recent breakthrough in the United States.

“The U.K. project provided real proof that solar can provide power comparable with conventional energy sources,” Tom Zhao said. “BYD not only successfully enables the commercial operation of solar power we also are proactively exploring possibilities in wind power.”

Since its installation a year ago, BYD’s energy storage system powering the 60-MWh project in the UK has operated smoothly, responding quickly to the grid’s demand, matching over 99 percent of aggregate demand with five to six cycles every day. This frequency regulation project is the biggest of its kind in the U.K.

Tom Zhao added that BYD is also in discussions with several global new energy companies about introducing EV-charging infrastructure and other solutions to help create a zero-emission closed loop system, from power generation to energy storage for sustainable consumption.