The two major energy companies Total (Paris:FP) (LSE:TTA)
(NYSE:TOT) and GDF SUEZ and their common solar cells manufacturing
subsidiary Photovoltech join the IMEC industrial affiliation
program (IIAP) on next generations of crystalline silicon solar
cells. The multi-partner R&D program concentrates on sharply
reducing the silicon use, whilst at the same time increasing the
efficiency of solar cells. This will substantially lower the cost
for solar energy.
With its IIAP, IMEC sets up a research ecosystem with the aim to
create innovative processes to fabricate the next generations of
silicon solar cells. Total, GDF SUEZ and Photovoltech will dedicate
researchers to this program. Thus, researchers from energy
companies, solar cell manufacturers and material and equipment
suppliers will work together with IMEC's solar experts on
developing these advanced processes and testing them on a
semi-industrial pilot line.
Luc Van den Hove, President and CEO at IMEC said: "We are
excited that such major energy companies and Photovoltech join our
research program. This agreement shows the importance of our
research for the global energy market. By 2025 at least 20% from
the worldwide energy supply will come from renewables. Solar energy
will ensure at least 10% of the total electricity supply, but to
achieve this, we need to join forces to strongly reduce the cost of
solar technology".
Philippe Boisseau, President Gas and Power at Total also said:
"This agreement with IMEC, a world-class research center and
historic partner of our branch Photovoltech, will give us access to
promising new technologies for silicon solar cells. It will
strengthen our skills and our scientific and technical commitment
in new energies".
"This program reinforces our partnership with IMEC and will
allow us to develop key competitive positioning in the crystalline
silicon solar cells technology", said Henri Ducré, Member of the
GDF SUEZ Executive Committee in charge of the Energy France
business line. "This collaboration will also strengthen our
position in a market where R&D choices are crucial and will
extend our research capacity in the solar energy field".
Johan Nijs, General Manager of Photovoltech said: "In order to
cope with market requirements in terms of price and quality we need
to deliver solar cells with ever improving electrical, optical and
mechanical characteristics at lower cost. Collaborating with an
outstanding R&D-center like IMEC offers unique opportunities to
meet these challenges".
About IMEC
IMEC is a world-leading independent research center in
nanoelectronics and nanotechnology. IMEC is headquartered in
Leuven, Belgium, and has offices in Belgium, the Netherlands,
Taiwan, US, China and Japan. Its staff of more than 1,650 people
include over 550 industrial residents and guest researchers. In
2008, IMEC's revenue (P&L) was 270 million euro.
IMEC's More Moore research targets semiconductor scaling for the
22nm technology node and beyond. With its More than Moore research,
IMEC invents technology for nomadic embedded systems, wireless
autonomous transducer solutions, biomedical electronics,
photovoltaics, organic electronics and GaN power electronics.
IMEC's research bridges the gap between the fundamental research
at universities and R&D in the industry. It has unique
processing and system know-how, intellectual property portfolio,
state-of-the-art infrastructure, and a strong and worldwide network
position. This makes IMEC a key partner for shaping the technology
of the future.
Further information on IMEC can be found at www.imec.be.
IMEC is a registered trademark for the activities of IMEC
International (a legal entity set up under Belgian as a"stichting
van openbaar nut"), IMEC in Belgium (IMEC vzw supported by the
Flemish Government), stichting IMEC Nederland (IMEC-NL) and IMEC
Taiwan Co. (IMEC-TW).
About Total
Total is one of the world's major oil and gas groups, with
activities in more than 130 countries. Its 97,000 employees put
their expertise to work in every part of the industry - exploration
and production of oil and natural gas, refining and marketing, gas
& power and trading. Total is working to keep the world
supplied with energy, both today and tomorrow. The Group is also a
first rank player in chemicals.
Total has been active in solar energy since 1983 through its
interest in two companies, Tenesol and Photovoltech. Photovoltech
produces photovoltaic cells based on a crystalline silicon
technology and Tenesol specializes in designing, manufacturing,
marketing and operating photovoltaic energy systems.
In December 2008, Total became a core industrial shareholder in
US startup Konarka, specialized in organic photovoltaic technology
after Total Gas & Power USA (SAS) recently underwrote a share
issue to acquire a stake slightly less than 20%.
About GDF SUEZ
One of the leading energy providers in the world, GDF SUEZ is
active across the entire energy value chain, in electricity and
natural gas, upstream to downstream. It develops its businesses
(energy, energy services and environment) around a
responsible-growth model to take up the great challenges:
responding to energy needs, ensuring the security of supply,
fighting against climate change and maximizing the use of
resources.
GDF SUEZ relies on diversified supply sources as well as
flexible and high-performance power generation in order to provide
innovative energy solutions to individuals, cities and businesses.
The Group employs 200,000 people worldwide and achieved revenues of
EUR83.1 billion in 2008. GDF SUEZ is listed on the Brussels,
Luxembourg and Paris stock exchanges and is represented in the main
international indices: CAC 40, BEL 20, DJ Stoxx 50, DJ Euro Stoxx
50, Euronext 100, FTSE Eurotop 100, MSCI Europe and ASPI
Eurozone.
GDF SUEZ is active along the value chain of photovoltaics
through its interests in Photovoltech, Soltech (polysilicon module
producer) and Sulfurcell (CIGS modules producer). The Group is also
committed in a number of photovoltaic projects development with a
current portfolio of about 200 MWp. Moreover, the Group develops
energy efficient offers for its clients including a large array of
PV solutions and services.
About Photovoltech
Photovoltech was created in December 2001 by Total, GDF SUEZ and
IMEC. Photovoltech had a turnover close to 100 MEUR in 2008 and
announced an increase of the photovoltaic cell production capacity
of its plant in Tienen, Belgium to 260 MWp by 2011-2012. A new
large building is being built at the current site in order to host
the necessary new production lines.
Total
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TOTAL S.A.
Capital 5 867 520 185, 00 euros
542 051 180 R.C.S. Nanterre
www.total.com