"All-Back-Contact HIT-Structure is Fastest Way To
Reach 25% Efficiency"
RED BANK, N.J., April 7, 2015 /CNW/ -- Chuck Provini,
President and CEO of Natcore Technology Inc. (TSX-V: NXT;
NTCXF.PK) says it's time for solar cell manufacturers to lift their
sights if they are to survive in today's marketplace. The challenge
was made yesterday in a presentation to a group of Palm Beach asset managers.
Commercial-grade cells typically have efficiencies in the
mid-to-high teens. Provini claims that a low-cost solar cell with
routine efficiency of 25% or more is within reach, and this will
completely transform the world's energy paradigm.
Efficiency is the ratio of the electrical output of a solar cell
to the incident energy reaching it in the form of sunlight. So a
higher efficiency means that a cell is producing more energy;
consequently, solar cell manufacturers are waging a constant
struggle to increase their efficiencies in their drive to make
solar energy truly competitive with energy derived from fossil
fuels.
One manufacturer – SunPower – produces commercial cells with
efficiencies up to 24%. Another – Panasonic – has demonstrated a
laboratory cell with an efficiency that exceeds 25%. But both have
shortcomings in the highly competitive solar cell market.
Panasonic's typically commercial solar cells are "HIT-structure"
(heterojunction with intrinsic thin layer) solar cells. Their
original HIT cell has contacts on the cell's back and front, which
lowers their efficiency because the front contacts occupy real
estate that could be devoted to absorbing solar energy. That cell
is still sold commercially and offers an efficiency ranging from
20% to 21%.
Panasonic also made an all-back contact HIT cell, which reached
a record efficiency of 25.6%, but does not produce such cells
commercially because the fabrication process is very complicated
and costly.
The SunPower cells have all back contacts, but are not
HIT-structured. They are made with super-high quality silicon, and
they require a complex set of steps to mount the contacts to the
silicon. Those two factors make the SunPower cells the most
expensive silicon cells on the market. They are being widely
manufactured and sold today, albeit at a cost that's 50% higher
than that of common commercial cells.
"We believe that Natcore, with its latest achievements in the
lab, has overcome the deficiencies of existing HIT-structure
cells," says Provini. "By applying all of the contacts to the rear
of the cell, we should increase efficiency. By using a laser in
applying the contacts, we greatly simplify the process and lower
its cost.
"We believe we can provide what's needed to take HIT-structure
cells to a 25% efficiency or greater. Furthermore, it's actually
easier for our process to make a silicon HIT-structure cell with
back contacts. The Natcore cell would sharply lower both the
cost/watt and the environmental damage that is associated with
traditional solar cell manufacturing."
Dr. Dennis Flood, who did
pioneering work on advanced solar cells for space applications when
he was Chief of the Photovoltaic and Space Environments Branch at
NASA, says, "Even though it's not commercial, the Panasonic
all-back-contact HIT cell, with an efficiency above 25%, heralds an
impending paradigm shift in the photovoltaic solar industry that is
unprecedented. This accomplishment raises the bar for all
competing solar cell technologies, from the various thin film cells
currently in production to laboratory cells made from all the new
materials under investigation. The issues are always and
fundamentally cell producibility and cost. HIT cells
with laser processed back contacts, as are being developed by
Natcore scientists, will excel at both." Dr. Flood is a co-founder
of Natcore, and is the company's Chief Technology Officer.
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 64 patents (21
granted and 43 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
732-576-8800
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visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/natcores-provini-solar-cell-producers-must-switch-to-hit-structure-if-they-want-to-survive-300061760.html
SOURCE Natcore Technology Inc.
