CNA Centrica Plc

By Ian Walker

LONDON--Energy company Centrica PLC (CNA.LN) said Tuesday its North American subsidiary, Direct Energy, has bought the U.S. residential solar business Astrum Solar for $54 million.

Privately held Astrum Solar designs, installs and maintains solar power generating equipment for use in the home. It has about 4,000 customers, predominantly in northeast U.S. and California, and in 2014 is expected to generate about $40 million of revenue.

Shares at 1255 GMT up 0.16% at 316 pence in a higher FTSE 100 Index--up 0.54%.

Write to Ian Walker at ian.walker@wsj.com

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