”NorSun is an exciting company with a promising future, and we would therefore like to continue developing our engagement with the company,” says Einar Glomnes, who heads up Hydro’s solar energy activities.

He adds that Hydro and NorSun are now establishing an R&D cooperation in areas and on tasks that are central for both companies.

In the summer of 2008 NorSun started producing monocrystalline silicon ingots and wafers at the company’s first plant at Årdalstangen, close to Hydro’s aluminium smelter in Årdal.

The silicon ingots are sliced into thin wafers that are installed in solar cell modules that produce electricity from solar energy.

NorSun also produces silicon ingots and wafers in Vantaa, Finland.