(EnergyAsia, January 28, Monday) — Jusung Engineering, a South Korean semiconductor, display and solar cell device manufacturer, has signed an agreement with research institute French Atomic Energy Authority (CEA) to jointly develop silicon-based heterojunction solar cells until at least the end of 2009.

The partners will combine their expertise to develop specific thin film silicon solar cells and large area TF LCDs.

They will develop a specific heterojunction process to manufacture thin film silicon solar cells at high efficiency. This new process targets solar cells of efficiency up to 20% using a high productivity process.

CEA’s Laboratory of New Technologies For Energy (Liten) will conduct research to improve the performance of silicon photovoltaic cells by optimising the manufacturing processes and introducing new concepts based on micro and nano technologies.

The French research institute has acquired significant laboratory-scale know-how in high efficiency photovoltaic cells using micro and nanotechnologies. It wants to accelerate the process by engaging a collaboration agreement to Jusung.

This seven-million euros joint venture will provide the institute with the necessary equipment to establish a field of high-level research on heterojunction solar cells that would help achieve a production-ready technology for transfer to its industrial partners. (US$1=0.68 euro). The new equipment will be installed in INES facilities where it conducts solar R&D.