Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC) cooperated with Stion Corp. for licensing, supply and joint development of photovoltaic technology.

It’s said that to in exchange for No.1 pure silicon foundry`s pledge to supply solar cells using the technology, Stion will transfer its thin-film CuInGaSe2 (CIGS) PV technology to TSMC. And TSMC will acquire a 21% stake in Stion for US$50 million through affiliate VentureTech Alliance. Industry executives pointed out that the partnership suggests TSMC would build in-house PV production lines.

The company announced it would venture into green-energy sectors, namely PV and light emitting diode (LED) manufacturing last year, so it is TSMC`s another PV investment case.

In the PV sector, TSMC has invested in Taiwan`s biggest supplier of solar cells Motech Industries, before cooperating with Stion. TSMC said Motech will not join the TSMC-Stion alliance as Motech uses crystalline silicon technology.