Total has announced that it is now a core shareholder in U.S. renewable-energy startup Konarka Technologies, Inc. maker of organic photovoltaic technology and the start-up of co-founder and Nobel Laureate (for chemistry) Alan Heeger, a pioneer in conductive polymers.

Total Gas & Power in the United States has underwritten a share issue and become 20 percent stakeholder in Konarka.

“This investment positions Total strategically to secure the future of solar energy while expanding its technological portfolio,” a Total statement said.

Total is a player in solar energy via interests in Photovoltech and Tenesol, and the company intends to step up its crystalline silicon-based cell production. At the same time, it aims to grow in the thin film segment for which it obtained the Konarka stake.

Total expertise in "carbon chemistry" hinges on its chemicals businesses Atotech, Bostik, Hutchinson, Sartomer and Total Petrochemicals USA INC. All of which are understood to have long ago signed bilateral R&D and cooperation agreements with Konarka.

Total has a 47.8 percent stake in Photovoltech, a producer of photovoltaic cells based on a crystalline silicon technology. Total and EDF's 50-50 business Tenesol designs, builds and markets photovoltaic systems.

In late 2007, Total acquired a quarter of Swiss-based Novacis a thin-film researcher.

Konarka, meanwhile, makes solar plastic and polymer-based, "organic" photovoltaic technology based on many materials and many patents.

Tags: Total