Low-Cost Structure May Eliminate Silver; Shows Clear Path
Toward Ultra-High Efficiency
ROCHESTER, N.Y., July 9, 2015 /CNW/ -- Scientists working in the
Rochester R&D Center of Natcore Technology Inc. (TSX-V: NXT;
NTCXF.PK) have developed a new solar cell structure that will
simplify the production process, significantly lower costs, and
speed the path toward ultra high-efficiency cells.
Importantly, the new cell structure has the potential to
completely eliminate high-cost silver from mass-manufactured
silicon solar cells – an achievement that has been a long-time goal
of solar science.
Natcore's new cell is an advancement of the silicon
heterojunction (SHJ) cell structure that other researchers have
used to achieve world-record silicon solar cell efficiencies.
Natcore's adaptation offers key advantages over previous SHJ
cells:
- The new cell structure – which can be achieved only through
Natcore's proprietary laser processing technology – may allow for
the complete elimination of silver from the finished silicon solar
cell.
- With silver contributing approximately 30% to the cost of a
silicon solar cell, this achievement alone would slash production
costs.
- Natcore's laser processing techniques allow for further
simplification of the production process, projecting to a
cost-per-watt far lower than any solar cells available today.
- Natcore's early first-generation research cells using this new
structure are already producing efficiencies near today's common
commercial cells. With better materials and further refinements
that are in progress, the new cells show a clear technical path to
efficiencies substantially greater than current commercial
cells.
- The new cell structure opens the door to further cost savings
and production simplification through a novel packaging approach
that Natcore is also pursuing as part of its development
program.
Natcore's advisors have recommended minimum efficiency and other
technical benchmarks before the company approaches industry for
licensing of its technology. The first generation cells using this
revolutionary new structure have surpassed all of these benchmarks,
and Natcore will now begin soliciting license agreements.
Parallel to its commercialization efforts, Natcore will continue
to refine and improve its SHJ cells at its lab facilities in the
Eastman Business Park, and will also leverage its relationships
with leading independent laboratories to improve its
technology.
In addition, Natcore's scientists are currently working toward a
second generation of its new structure that will employ no silver
at all and thereby validate this very important advantage.
Natcore's new cell is an all-back-contact heterojunction
structure using thin amorphous silicon layers in combination with a
standard crystalline silicon solar wafer. The cell could utilize a
novel packaging approach in which a flex circuit is directly bonded
to multiple, small contact pads by high-speed laser fusion.
This integrated approach has two major advantages. First, it
eliminates front surface contacts, which are costly and block some
incoming light. Secondly, the cell-to-module packaging can be
accomplished with low-cost, alignment-tolerant bonding.
"While we're completing our patent submission, we're hesitant to
give more details about the new structure," said Dr. David Levy, Natcore's Director of Research and
Technology. "All of our tests to date demonstrate that we're on the
optimum path toward very high efficiencies with manufacturing
solutions that are low cost and do not require complex process
equipment."
"Practical photovoltaic solar cells have been around for 60
years," says Dr. Charlie Gay, former
Director of the National Renewable Energy Lab (NREL) and a member
of Natcore's Science Advisory Board. "But Natcore scientists have
taken a lot of known pieces and assembled them in new and different
ways. They've taken basic concepts and made them manufacturable by
using low-cost materials and simplifying production methods."
About Natcore Technology
Natcore Technology is focused on using its proprietary
nanotechnology discoveries to enable a variety of compelling
applications in the solar industry. Specifically, the company is
advancing applications in laser processing, black silicon and
quantum-dot solar cells to significantly lower the costs and
improve the power output of solar cells. With 59 patents (24
granted and 35 pending) Natcore is on the leading edge of solar
research. www.natcoresolar.com
Statements in this press release 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
(585) 286-9180
Info@NatcoreSolar.com
SOURCE Natcore Technology Inc.
