Dec. 15 (Bloomberg) -- Total SA, Europe’s third-largest oil company, bought almost 20 percent of Konarka, a start-up solar power company, as part of its effort to expand in developing photovoltaic energy.

Total’s Total Gas & Power USA unit underwrote a share issue and owns a “significant interest” in Konarka, the Paris-based company said in a statement. “Total intends to step up its crystalline silicon-based cell production.”

Konarka, based in Lowell, Massachusetts, makes solar plastic films that convert light to energy, Total said.

Total, along with GDF Suez SA and Interuniversity Microelectronics Center, owns Tienen, Belgium-based Photovoltech, which makes photovoltaic cells. The oil company also has a 50 percent stake in Tenesol, which specializes in designing and manufacturing solar energy systems.

To contact the reporter on this story: Tara Patel in Paris at tpatel2@bloomberg.net

Last Updated: December 15, 2008 08:59 EST