A prototype solar powered forecourt launched in Hammersmith this week is the face of the future for BP's global estate. The conglomerate is to roll out 80 BP Connects in the London commuter belt next year, and over 200 worldwide. The new style brand comes as BP repositions itself in a bid to grow business over 10% a year worldwide. BP retail operations manager Mark Townley said: "We are re-inventing ourself as a genuine retail company. We want to be at the cutting edge of convenience, the electronic revolution and environmentally friendly practice. Fuel is now just one part of our offer." He said BP was focusing on the capital for the first tranche of Connects as its portfolio most needed refurbishment there. In the longer term all BP forecourts will convert, as will 100 forecourt stores alongside BP's joint venture supermarkets with Safeway. The new Connect "all-in-one" footprint boasts high tech pumps, carwash, 24 hour Zip branded cafe, shop, internet kiosks, a Victoria Wine off licence or entertainments concession, postbox, cashpoint and national lottery terminal. Solar panel canopies over the forecourt generate energy to run the retail site. Internet kiosks offering free weather and traffic information, video e-mail and online shopping at £1 for 10 minutes are core to the futuristic offer. BP is already tied up with Victoria Wine at 40 old-style locations and will extend the partnership wherever licenses are granted. Within six months BP will add e-enabled pumps for customers to pre-order from the shop or cafe as they fill up. A second BP re-vamp in Southgate opened on Tuesday, and a Connect near Finchley, London, will be off the blocks by new year. Connect opens in Lisbon, Portugal and Altanta and Cleveland, US, and in England in Basildon, Wembley, Yeading, Amersham and Sidcup in January. {{NEWS }}