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SANYO Electric Co. and Nippon Oil Corporation are working on a deal that could see the formation of a thin-film solar cell manufacturing joint venture between the two companies by April 2009. SANYO said that a partner for its thin-film solar plans would enable a faster development of its plans due to the possibility of sharing costs and raising of necessary funds. Nippon Oil is interested in diversifying its business further into renewable energy and teaming with an experienced player in the market.

SANYO also reiterated its commitment to develop and expand its existing crystalline solar cell business in tandem with thin film. SANYO currently operates a 5MW thin-film pilot line; however, it lags behind other key players in Japan that are expanding thin-film production, according to data from RTS, the Japan-based market research firm.

The companies aim to commercialize highly efficient, low-cost thin-film solar cells by April 2010, after further consultations take place between the two companies.