JA Solar says it plans to work with BP

JA Solar Holdings Co. and an alternative-energy subsidiary of oil giant BP PLC said Thursday they plan to jointly develop and sell solar-power unit components over the next five years.

A final agreement is expected before year-end.

JA Solar said it expected to contribute manufacturing and access to third-party silicon or wafers used in photovoltaic units, while BP expected to add access to its own supplies and customer list.

JA Solar, based in Hebei, China, makes monocrystalline solar cells for sale to manufacturers that assemble them into systems to convert sunlight into electricity.

BP Alternative Energy Holdings Ltd. has 2,300 employees and makes solar-energy products for residential, commercial and industrial customers.

Shares of BP fell $2.22, or 5.1 percent, to $41.16, while U.S.-traded shares of JA Solar lost 21 cents, or 10.4 percent, to $1.81 in morning trading.