Not too long ago, solar energy was perceived as a niche fuel for space exploration and a nifty DIY project for off-gridders, with practically no market in between.

Solar energy has gone mainstream since then, and the new BP investment in Lightsource is a case in point.

Lightsource already operates on three continents, and BP is describing the new investment as a "strategic partnership" that will drive the solar company’s reach "across the world."

The Lightsource buy is a significant move, but it doesn’t necessarily mean that BP is winding down its petroleum and gas business just yet. Like ExxonMobil, the company could ratchet up its natural gas investments and claim lower carbon emissions on that score. That’s a controversial strategy, to say the least, considering the local and global impacts of natural gas production.

Read the full article about BP's major investment in solar energy by Tina Casey at TriplePundit.