LG to sign solar energy cooperation deal with Norway`s REC Wafer

SEOUL, Jan. 18 (Yonhap) -- LG Electronics Inc., South Korea's second-largest
consumer electronics maker, said Sunday it plans to sign a deal next week to
purchase solar energy silicon wafers from a Norwegian firm.
The more-than-$340 million deal, to be signed on Thursday, will allow LG
Electronics to purchase multi-crystalline silicon wafers from REC Wafer from 2010
through 2014, the company said in a news release.
A crystalline silicon wafer is a semiconductor material that is used in the
manufacturing of integrated circuits and to offer insulation, especially in the
manufacture of integrated circuits.
Several types of solar cells, which convert solar energy into electricity, are
made from such wafers.
The product is expected to make up about 80 percent of the solar industry by
2010, overtaking a thin film solar cell, the company said.
Thin film solar cells are known to be less expensive than crystalline silicon,
but also much less efficient.
In October 2008, LG announced a plan to convert its A1 plasma panel manufacturing
line in Gumi, South Korea, for solar cell production.
The company said it plans to invest 220 billion won (US$162 million) to establish
two solar wafer production lines with mass production to begin in the first
quarter of 2010.
Currently, the global solar industry market is valued at more than $10 billion.
ygkim@yna.co.kr
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