Sunnyvale, Calif.-based Solar Semiconductor said today it signed a multi-year agreement to get $170 million of solar cells from Germany's Q-Cells.

Solar Semiconductor said the 156 millimeter mono and multi-crystalline cells will be used for production in its new solar PV module manufacturing plant in India.

"We have aggressive ramp up plans beyond 50 megawatt for module production, immediately doubling at the beginning of year 2008 and rapidly expanding in the coming years. It is important to choose a partner whose vision and technology road map is consistent with ours," said Hari Surapaneni, CEO of Solar Semiconductor.

The company purchased the new India module manufacturing line from P-Energy, based in Italy, in February.

"We are delighted to have a business partner like Solar Semiconductor, whose expertise and presence in a key potential market like India and other international markets will be important for Q-Cells to further expand our position in new and growing international markets," said Q-Cells CEO Anton Milner.

Q-Cells, one of the world's largest independent manufacturers of solar cells, last month signed a $3.5 billion supply agreement with Silicon Valley-based Solaria (see $3.5 billion Solaria cell supply deal [1]).

Solar Semiconductor, which offers four modules in its production line, said its plant is designed to work with 125 mm or 156 mm mono or multi-crystalline cells, cells less than 180 microns thick and cells with two or three bus bars.