Renewable Energies - Photovoltech

With its international dimension and its energy and chemical businesses, Total is directly concerned by the worldwide global issues and challenges of sustainable development. While preparing the future of energy, Total relentlessly focuses on integrating its activities within society, minimising their impact on the environment, controlling industrial risk, and developing renewable energies. In this area, Total is particularly present in Belgium in the photovoltaic solar sector.
On 12th December 2001, the Group founded Photovoltech, a joint venture with Electrabel and Imec, Europe’s largest independent microelectronics research centre, in Tirlemont. Since it came on stream in 2003, the plant run by Photovoltech, a 47.8 % Total subsidiary, has become an effective player in the production of photovoltaic cells, with a 20 MWc production capacity at the end of 2005, poised to rise to 80 MWc by the end of 2008.

Photovoltaic energy in a nutshell Photovoltaic energy is generated by the direct conversion of sunlight into electrical energy using cells generally made from silicon. In order to achieve adequate power, the cells are interconnected to form a solar panel. Linked to the receptor, the panel operates as and when the sun shines, i.e. based on sunshine power. Although suitable for pumping water, the system is often fitted with batteries and accumulators to store the electricity and release it as and when required.