Alternative Energy

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A Long-Term, Ambitious Commitment

For over 25 years, specialists at Total and in our subsidiaries have progressed across the photovoltaic solar energy chain, fostering the emergence of a reliable, efficient and cost-effective technology. Our partnership with SunPower has given new impetus to our solar expansion.

Solar Panels

In the solar photovoltaic business, we are leveraging existing skills, extensive R&D, and partnerships to expand our photovoltaic solar activities.

Tenesol-SunPower Merger: Two Strategically Aligned Companies with a Shared Manufacturing and Marketing Vision

Currently being finalized, the planned merger between SunPower and Tenesol makes perfect business sense, creating a robust, high-performing global solar energy operator with a strong European base. The strategic fit between SunPower and Tenesol’s activities in Europe is compelling, in terms of both geography and marketing networks. The new organization will build on support from Total’s worldwide network for its growth, particularly in Europe, the Middle East, Asia and Africa, where Total has a long-established presence.

SunPower

In June 2011, following a friendly takeover bid, we acquired a 60% interest in US company SunPower, the world’s third-ranked solar energy operator. The agreement is a major milestone in the implementation of our solar strategy. Leveraging our financial solidity and international reach, SunPower will be the linchpin of our solar activities.

SunPower designs, manufactures and installs the world’s most reliable, efficient solar panels. The company’s market leadership is built on an unrivaled technological edge — its products are the most efficient available, averaging 22.6% compared to 16 to 17% for most of its competitors. Total is making SunPower the cornerstone of our solar energy activities.

SunPower

Key figures:

5,150 employees
Operations in 16 countries, Headquartered in San José, California
Revenue of $2.23 billion in 2010
Earnings of $189 million in 2010

Tenesol^*

Tenesol is integrated across the photovoltaic solar downstream, from design, production and marketing to operation. Tenesol has production capacity of 800,000 solar panels a year, or 170 MW-peak, at two plants, one in Toulouse, France, and the other in Cape Town, South Africa.

Tenesol

^*In the process of being acquired by SunPower.

Key figures:

700 employees
Revenue of €240 million in 2010

Solar Panel Production Plant in Eastern France

Total is completing the construction of a photovoltaic solar panel production and assembly plant in the Composite Park in the Moselle region of eastern France. As part of the combined SunPower-Tenesol, the plant will manufacture solar panels based on SunPower technology starting in 2012.

Other Solar Energy Assets

Photovoltech (50% Total/50% GDF Suez)

Photovoltech, a Belgian company that manufactures polycrystalline silicon-based photovoltaic solar cells, has a production capacity of 155 MW-peak per year at its Tienen plant in Belgium.

Photovoltech

Key figures:

288 employees
Revenue of €104 million in 2010

AE Polysilicon (25.4% interest)

This Taiwanese-US start-up is developing a new technology to manufacture polysilicon pellets. The production unit commissioned in 2010 is expected to eventually have a rated capacity of 1,800 tons per year of solar-grade polysilicon.

AE Polysilicon

Konarka (25% interest)

In December 2008, Total became U.S. start-up Konarka’s largest shareholder, with a stake that is now nearly 25%. Konarka develops products based on organic solar technologies, for more flexible use of photovoltaic energy. In addition to its R&D activities, the company also has production facilities.

Konarka

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