Will allow high-performance, all-back-contact solar cells to
be manufactured at much lower cost than conventional cells.
RED BANK, N.J., Jan. 27, 2015 /CNW/ -- Three months ago,
Natcore Technology (TSX-V: NXT; NTCXF.PK) announced
that its scientists had created an all-low-temperature,
laser-processed solar cell.
Now Natcore's scientists have taken a giant step further, with
an advance that promises not only to slash production costs, but
also add significantly greater power output to commercial solar
cells.
Working in their R&D Center in Rochester, NY, the Natcore team has
successfully used their proprietary advances in laser technology to
produce an all-low-temperature laser-doped solar cell with all of
its electrical contacts on the back of the cell.
Eliminating the contacts from the front of the cell will allow
an additional 4% to 6% more light to enter the cell and increase
its output by a comparable amount. This increase along with other
expected gains can increase efficiencies by up to 4% on an absolute
basis relative to current benchmarks for front contact solar
cells.
Moreover, in their latest effort the Natcore team has achieved
an open-circuit voltage of 0.6 V. These and other performance
metrics indicate that, with further refinement, efficiencies
significantly equaling or exceeding today's best commercial cells
are possible.
While other all-back-contact cells have been produced, they use
high-temperature diffusion in their doping steps and highly complex
multi-step patterning processes to apply the electrical contacts.
Natcore's all-back-contact cell, on the other hand, uses only
high-speed, inexpensive laser processing to define the doping
regions and the contacts.
Natcore's elegantly simple approach makes it uniquely suited to
large-scale manufacturing. It will provide the best of all worlds
by allowing high-performance all-back contact cells to be
manufactured at much lower cost than current or conventional solar
cells.
The all-back-contact cell is the latest salvo in Natcore's
assault on solar cell manufacturing costs. Earlier
developments:
- Natcore's black silicon process should save 23.5% in
manufacturing costs by eliminating one furnace from the
conventional production process.
- Natcore's highly specialized laser processing will eliminate a
second, final furnace, cutting costs even further.
- Substituting a copper catalyst for gold or silver in the
surface etching promises significant, on-going process
savings.
"We're at a real frontier," says Dr. David Levy, Natcore's Director of Research &
Technology. "We're changing the way solar cells are made. We're
very optimistic about our prospects because our cells are behaving
according to our theoretical expectations."
"With every advance, we're further defining what will be
recognized as the 'Natcore Process,'" says Chuck Provini, Natcore's president and CEO.
Ultimately our process will yield superlative solar cells that are
highly efficient, inexpensive to produce, and kind to the
environment."
"The key to making solar energy competitive without government
subsidies is to slash production costs and increase power output,"
notes Natcore's Chairman, Brien
Lundin. "This latest advance in laser processing does both,
and to a greater degree than even we thought possible. This is our
first application that is both disruptive and ready for
market."
The next steps in the development will be to add Natcore's black
silicon antireflection control technology to the front of the cell.
Natcore will have a unique and proprietary position with this
technology.
Statements herein other than purely historical factual
information, including statements relating to revenues or profits,
or Natcore's future plans and objectives, or expected sales, cash
flows, and capital expenditures constitute forward-looking
statements. Forward-looking statements are based on numerous
assumptions and are subject to all of the risks and uncertainties
inherent in Natcore's business, including risks inherent in the
technology history. There can be no assurance that such
forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual
results and future events could differ materially from those
anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not
place undue reliance on such statements. Except in accordance with
applicable securities laws, Natcore expressly disclaims any
obligation to update any forward-looking statements or
forward-looking statements that are incorporated by reference
herein.
Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services
Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX
Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or
accuracy of this release.
Contact: Chuck Provini
732-576-8800
info@NatcoreSolar.com
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visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/natcore-technology-makes-first-back-contact-solar-cell-using-laser-processing-300026109.html
SOURCE Natcore Technology
