ROCHESTER, N.Y., April 4, 2017 /CNW/ -- Natcore Technology
Inc. (TSX-V: NXT; OTCQB: NTCXF; Frankfurt: 8NT) has signed a joint
development agreement with Coveme spa, the Italian company that is
a leading innovator in the manufacture and conversion of polyester
films.
Natcore has recently developed the Natcore Foil Cell, which
combines a revolutionary laser process with a novel metallization
strategy, thus enabling high-efficiency cell architectures at low
cost.
The key feature: metallization of the cell by direct attachment
of a bilayer aluminum foil laminate. The concept simplifies the
fabrication of several silicon-based, all-back contact cell
architectures, allowing for high-speed, low-cost manufacturing
methods.
Importantly, it also eliminates the need for silver, one of the
highest-cost components of a conventional solar cell.
Under the terms of the Agreement, Natcore and Coveme will
collaborate in order to assess and develop high throughput methods
to produce laser-processed all-back-contacts on silicon solar
cells.
Founded in 1965, Coveme treats, coats, heat-stabilizes and
laminates polyester film for various industrial applications, such
as photovoltaic modules, biomedical sensor strips, electrical
insulation, automotive uses and flexible packaging. The company is
based in San Lazzaro di Savena, Italy, and has production sites in Gorizia,
Italy and Zhangjiagang,
China.
"We developed the technology behind the Foil Cell in our
Rochester lab," Says Chuck
Provini, Natcore President and CEO. "But we need additional
expertise to help take it to the next level. Nobody is better
equipped than Coveme to provide that expertise. Coveme will help us
develop a full-scale prototype and ready the cell for
production."
"Natcore will develop their foil all-back-contact process to be
compatible with foil designs and samples provided by Coveme," says
Gian Paolo Fedrigo, Coveme's CEO.
"They will construct devices using their own technology along with
foil samples from Coveme. We will give them information regarding
foil contact structures, and we'll design and fabricate foil
samples for their use in constructing test solar cells."
The Project Managers will be David
Levy for Natcore and Matteo
Racchi for Coveme. Dr. Levy is Natcore's Director of
Research and Technology.
The all-back-contact solar cell is generally recognized as a
very efficient structure. Indeed, a cell of this type holds the
world record for silicon cell efficiency at 25.6%. In November,
Natcore announced that they had achieved efficiencies of 19.4%. At
that time, Dr. Levy said "Considering the rapid achievement of
these good results, prior even to serious optimization of this new
approach, we expect to announce devices soon with efficiencies
considerably over 20%."
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 awill 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
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SOURCE Natcore Technology Inc.