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rkt9, I called Tom Scarpa today.
I told him that I wanted to install solar panels on my roof. I said I've decided to go with the tandem cell panels(lol), how long do I have to wait until the panels are commercially available. Tom laughed, then said he thinks 2 years. I said are you serious? He said yes.
Then I asked him to get me the panels. Tom said, Natcore could use your house as a test site. I said write that down because I won't forget you said that. I doubt the test site part, but wouldn't 2 years be fantastic?
Tom said initially Natcore plans to spend additional money at Rice U to push the development. Natcore also plans to work on the tandem cell at the lab in Rochester.
I asked if Phono Solar is going to contribute funding. Tom said, Natcore now feels that it won't cost that much to develop the tandem cell and thought that Natcore would fund it themselves. Tom said that Natcore expects to have revenue to handle the cost.
I hope this tandem cell schedule holds! Dr. Flood had said 2 weeks ago that Dr. Barron and himself are "pushing hard to get products out the door".
Something else I found out today, Dr. Barron is a race car driver. He's from England and is quite the sportscar enthusiast. He raced in Georgia this past weekend.
$$$$$
JB
I bought the 2,737 shares of NTCXF that traded this morning. Paid $.658
JB
China's Feed-in Tariff
GM rkt9,
I agree that U.S. government support for renewables is iffy. What I didn't realize is that so many Americans are aware of the benefits of solar energy. If the government continues to support fossil fuels, then it should continue to support solar.
I watched a utility executive roundtable solar discussion video. The executives stated:
A carbon tax would be very beneficial for solar. This tax would price in the harmful effects of fossil fuels when determining energy costs. They said the U.S., China, and India are pretty much the only countries that don't have the tax. They said China and India are on the verge of enacting the tax, and eventually America will have it. They said that knowing the tax is coming is factored into energy source discussions today. The FPL and Duke Energy CEOs stated that their number one wish for the future is the carbon tax. It seems that they don't like the polluting nature of their business.
http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/video/spi-day-two-pgm?cmpid=WNL-Friday-October28-2011
In America, it seems that solar's number one ally today is the states that require utilities to have a minimum % of renewables included in their energy output. It appears that China and India will take up any slack out of Europe.
The tandem cell will greatly change my energy consumption habits. I have a southern exposure roof that is 60' long. I plan to fill it with tandem cell modules and buy an electric car.
Maybe we can go through Natcore for discounted tandem modules in exchange for the story, pictures, and our history with Natcore.
I'll start working on Scarpa for a commitment.
JB
Well, this is encouraging!
Maybe the U.S. can get a favorable solar energy policy regardless of which political party is in control. It's good to see the American public favors solar over natural gas by almost 2-to-1.
Survey Says ... 9 in 10 Americans Want More Solar Energy
The solar industry is certain to use the results to bolster its case that Congress should extend the wildly popular Section 1603 grant in-lieu of an existing tax credit as a way to both create jobs and continue the expansion of solar.
http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/article/2011/11/survey-says-9-in-10-americans-want-more-solar-energy?cmpid=WNL-Wednesday-November2-2011
JB
Informative article by Garvin Jabush, Green Alpha Advisors
Welcome to the board paradigmX!
GM kungfu1,
Thanks MrC,
I have been buying again since before the MX LOI announcement, but wish I had L2 type of quotes. My daughter has a bid in for shares for her Roth IRA. I am thinking that she might have to pay up at the ask, and soon. We should get some significant news releases between now and the end of the year.
I sure would like to know what the original investors are being told at the conference. Dr. Flood and Tom Scarpa both asked me if I was going to be there. They both seem to be very exuberant lately.
JB
Solar Project Aims to Becomes Largest in West Africa
http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/article/2011/10/solar-project-aims-to-becomes-largest-in-west-africa?cmpid=SolarNL-Thursday-October27-2011
JB
Fidelity will buy and sell NTCXF shares for me using the NXT quotes adjusted for currency differences. It's not too much of a hassle. Provini and I discussed the current trading situation for U.S. investors at the AGM. Chuck said that he recommends investors open an account with a Canadian brokerage. He also said that Natcore will uplist as soon as possible.
JB
Top Experts Gather for "World's Greatest Investment Event"
The 38th Annual New Orleans Investment Conference to Be Held October 26-29
With Natcore exhibiting at this years event, I wish I had gone. I kind of feel left out. Natcore was drumming up support for their private placement at last years event. Tom Scarpa told me that Natcore's early investors attend. Natcore is in a much better place heading into this year's event.
From the exhibitor's page:
Natcore Technology
(www.natcoresolar.com)
Natcore Technology controls a new thin-film growth technology with two immediate and compelling applications in the solar sector: 1) It has the potential to reduce silicon usage in solar cell manufacturing by over 60% — thereby dramatically decreasing costs, improving margins and boosting throughput. And, 2) it promises to allow, for the first time, mass manufacturing of tandem solar cells with twice the efficiency of the best solar cells available today.
http://www.neworleansconference.com/exhibiting_company.html
JB
Thanks 350z and MRPANCAKE,
The table displays a summary of the orders entered at the best five price levels for each of the buy and sell sides of the market for this security. The best prices for each side are highlighted in bold type above.
http://www.tmx.com/HttpController?GetPage=DelayedMarketByPrice&SelectedSymbol=NXT&Market=V&Language=en
This site shows delayed bid/ask and bunches the high bids and low asks together. Anybody have real time?
JB
Prospects for China Wind Turbine Manufacturers Remain Gloomy
Of course, Natcore and the pv industry compete with the wind power sector.
Last but not the least, according to U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk, the Chinese government has decided to stop subsidizing wind power companies that use domestically made components rather than imports.
http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/article/2011/10/prospects-for-china-wind-turbine-manufacturers-remain-gloomy?cmpid=WNL-Wednesday-October26-2011
JB
GM 350z,
Do you have access to a real time bids/asks list that gives you the highest bids and lowest asks and the size of them? Fidelity is my broker, they only show the highest bid and lowest ask and they are rounded to the penny. Instead of the .606/.726 you showed, Fidelity had .60/.72. I would be interested in paying a service for this information.
Anybody have this?
JB
GM MRPANCAKE,
iHub administration removed your post. I think the 3 letter initials triggered a review on their part. Looks like iHub is cracking down.
JB
Thanks for posting that Doug,
Kodak expects to end the year with $1.6-1.7 billion in cash. Looking better for them to be Natcore's thin-film manufacturer. I found it interesting that Dr. Flood was willing to discuss Kodak for the first time this week:
The ramp up to production here is meant as going from the bench work through the first large roll of thin-film product (sorry for the confusion). The commercial launch will be after that and manufactured by others. Dr. Flood thought that Kodak will be the manufacturer of the first offering of thin film roll-to-roll. He said that once the tandem cell product is made available, Kodak will not have the capacity to manufacture both products. Dr. Flood said that other manufacturers will be involved at that time.
Tom Scarpa on Kodak:
Email from Tom Scarpa regarding Natcore:
Jim,
I agree.
Chuck and I were in Rochester last week meeting with the Kodak guys and the Economic Development people. We had a good meeting and we will be updating everyone when we can.
Chuck and I will both be on the road this week. We will try to keep our shareholders informed within the Exchange guidelines.
Thanks for your help.
Tom
Chuck Provini stated:
Natcore continues its search for a manufacturing partner in the production of the thin-film solar cells developed through this agreement. Eastman Kodak is being strongly considered for that program, as are Asian alternatives. Natcore has stated its preference to keep the manufacturing in the U.S. "We profoundly hope that we'll be able to manufacture at Eastman Business Park in Rochester," said Natcore President and CEO Chuck Provini. "As a public company, Natcore must make the best decision for its shareholders, and manufacturing in Rochester offers certain advantages to leverage existing infrastructure and expertise right here in the U.S. Nevertheless, we have to be realistic. We have to go where the funding takes us."
http://tmx.quotemedia.com/article.php?newsid=41777039&qm_symbol=NXT:CA
I think the Natcore/Kodak relationship is farther along than I had thought in the past.
JB
Welcome to 2031: Julia Hamm Presents Utility of Tomorrow
http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/article/2011/10/welcome-to-2031-julia-hamm-presents-utility-of-tomorrow?cmpid=SolarNL-Tuesday-October25-2011
JB
Change in Stock Board Moderator Assignments
It looks like iHub is cracking down on Moderators that don't follow the rules and don't enforce the rules. Fortunately, there have only been 3 posts that should have been removed from this board, and all three were removed. It's good to see iHub's desire to clean up the boards. I'm sure that futrcash and sumisu join me in thanking this boards participants that have been civil and followed the rules.
JB
Change in Stock Board Moderator Assignments
Soon the Moderator system will be changing on stock-specific boards only. There will no longer be a Moderator with Assistants. All positions will be equal and considered a Moderator. This change will not effect the general trading boards in any way. This is only for boards that discuss a single, specific stock.
In order to apply for a Moderator position, users will click on the link that says “Add Me as a Moderator” which will add them to a queue. Admins will either approve or deny requests based on the User’s history of following the rules of the site as well as actively and fairly enforcing these rules on boards they have moderated.
This means if you want to be a moderator on boards going forward, you need to be active in Mod positions currently and you need to ensure that you are not violating the rules on any boards. This does not mean that you should be searching for the slightest infractions. It simply means that as personal attacks and posts about other Users show up on your boards, you need to take an active role in enforcing the rules by removing them.
Moderators are going to have to work as a team for any iBox changes or sticky notes. Admin will still not be getting involved in these disputes of User generated content except in the case of TOS violations. We will be supportive of teams working together to resolve any challenges.
Requests to be added as moderator on a board where all of the moderator positions are already filled will be held in a deferred queue. If an existing moderator resigns or is removed for violating their Moderator privileges, the site rules or for being inactive in assisting in actively moderating the board, they will be removed and deferred requests will be automatically re-queued.
Users who incite board wars, stalk or intentionally antagonize other Users/entire boards or generally act disrupt the community should not anticipate being granted moderator positions. The purpose of moderators is to promote the civil exchange of on-topic dialog that complies with the Investors Hub Terms of Service.
iHub was always designed to be a self-policing site. As the site has grown, it appears that more and more people have seen the Mod role as simply a figure head. That is not the case.
We are hopeful that under this new structure many who have never had a chance to Moderate will be able to come forward and take a role where they are interested.
The above is our current plan and there could be some modifications as we move forward in implementing this new process. This is simply a heads up so that people have the opportunity to offer constructive suggestions and prepare for the new system.
kungfu1,
Not to belabor the point but post #1549 indicated that additional funding will be needed for "ramp up to production". I take that to mean production of the thin film solar cells. JB any comments?
The ramp up to production here is meant as going from the bench work through the first large roll of thin-film product (sorry for the confusion). The commercial launch will be after that and manufactured by others. Dr. Flood thought that Kodak will be the manufacturer of the first offering of thin film roll-to-roll. He said that once the tandem cell product is made available, Kodak will not have the capacity to manufacture both products. Dr. Flood said that other manufacturers will be involved at that time.
Thanks for reminding me of these statements from Dr. Flood!
JB
GM kungfu1,
I found it very encouraging that Dr. Flood brought up the Valley of Death topic. He asked me if I was aware of it. I did not question him on the subject. His volunteering that Natcore has successfully navigated it's way through the Valley of Death speaks volumes.
I also found it informative that Natcore is focused on getting the Ar-Box out the door and bringing in revenue. Dr. Flood referred to this at least 4 times. He is obviously putting pressure on himself to get this done.
The most recent delays; out of code ventilation ductwork and the drawn out black silicon licensing agreement, could be settled this week.
Next up, the test results on AR-Box produced black silicon samples.
After that, produce and ship the 1000's of black silicon samples to solar companies worldwide.
We don't know how long it will take to get the first Ar-Box sale. I still think Tom Scarpa's belief that it could happen before the end of the year is possible.
JB
teq0904,
JB replying.
Scarpa told me something to the tune of my second comment, but that was a while ago and I understand little about NXT. There is no salvage value for the furnaces so only operating cost savings to consider, so the manufacturers have been unwilling to take the risk so far.
It appears that Natcore's initial AR-Box strategy is to partner with solar module producers that don't produce their own solar cells. These companies don't have existing CVD furnances to disgard. The MX Holdings consortium is an example. I asked Scarpa if Phono produces their own solar cells, his email reply yesterday did not answer the question. After reviewing Phono's website, I don't think that they do.
Another initial target may be manufacturers that produce modules and solar cells, and plan expansion. AR-Boxes would be used to produce the solar cells for the expansion capacity.
Another initial target may be solar module start up companies that plan to produce their own solar cells.
This leaves us with the companies that produce solar cells and don't plan expansion. According to industry insider and MX Holding CEO, Carmelito Denaro, Natcore's LPD process produces a better, more efficient, and lower cost solar cell. When you add safer process, less enviromentally harmful process, probability of future reduction in the amount of silicon used, and possible future access to a tandem cell, I think the disruptive LPD process will force this group of solar cell producers to come on board over time.
I liked Tom Scarpa's statement yesterday, MX Solar and Phono Solar are just the beginning.
JB
GM teq0904,
Tom Scarpa's reply to this mornings email.
Jim,
Thanks for the e-mail.
In answer to your questions, MX does purchase cells that are manufactured in Asia. We have had discussions with several manufacturers in Asia, one of which is Phono Solar, and we will continue to do so. But more importantly, the joint agreement with MX Solar will lead to the manufacturing of cells in Europe (Italy). Unlike some other countries, the Italians see the folly in relying on a foreign source for their panels and prefer to manufacture their own. This is a strategy that I believe will serve them well in the future.
Thanks for the post below. It would be funny if it weren’t true. We continue to seek out partners worldwide. MX solar and Phono Solar are just the beginning(underline by me).
Thanks again.
Tom
****************************************************************************************************************************************
From: Jxx
Sent: Sunday, October 23, 2011 6:11 AM
To: Tom Scarpa
Subject: Solar Cell Producers
Good Morning Tom!
I hope you enjoyed your weekend. Please answer these questions when you have time.
MX Solar referred to buying solar cells from Asian producers in the LOI announcement. Has Natcore had discussions with any solar cell producers?
Does Phono Solar currently produce their own solar cells? Their website doesn't state that they do.
The post below lists reasons why a company would reject a partnership with Natcore. I thought you might get a chuckle out of it:
Good Morning MRPANCAKE,
There will always be sellers for one reason or another. I would like to see revenue too. I don't think that revenue is too far out. However, what I would really like to see is a partnership with Phono Solar and their $15 billion/revenue/year parent. I think one is coming. I don't think that Phono Solar will tell Natcore:
We want to pay multimillions for each CVD furnace, as opposed to 1 million(?) for your AR-Box.
We want to burn silane and tons of natural gas in order to polute the environment.
We want to produce solar cells with lower efficiency.
We want no part of reducing the amount of silicon in our solar cells.
We want our solar cells to cost more.
We like the fact that the CVD production method is more dangerous than the LPD method.
Oh, and you can shove the tandem cell, we have already told you that we want solar cells that have lower efficiency, and, we do not want to be successful and look forward to being put out of business.
Basically, this is what any solar cell producer is telling Natcore if they don't want to partner.
Phono Solars modules have a low 14.8% efficiency:
http://www.phonosolarusa.com/med/press-releases/107-phono-solar-to-reveal-new-strategy-at-intersolar-san-francisco-booth-8357-
http://www.phonosolarusa.com/products-a-solutions/photovoltaic-modules/monocrystalline-modules/235-260w-mono-u-series
Tom Scarpa on Phono Solar:
We continue to work on a project with TLNZ. They are moving slower than we expected but when the Chinese government is involved you never know what to expect. We continue to optimistic about a project with them. Perhaps more important, is the project with Phono Solar, one of the larger manufacturers in China. As I mentioned, the lab in Rochester will be shut down for the month of October for phase two of the build out. In the meantime, Phono is sending us an additional 200 wafers to coat. We will do that in Ohio. We will use some to test our own technology, including black silicon. We will send some back to Phono for them to test. We want to make sure that when they visit here the lab is fully operational and we can complete a deal. We hope to have some really good test results with black silicon by mid to late November.
This is what Provini has said regarding revenue:
We could have built AR-Box 1 more quickly, and perhaps sold one sooner into a Chinese production line. We chose not to go this route, however, because our goal is to make Natcore's products the gold standard in the industry.
Jim
Good Morning MRPANCAKE,
There will always be sellers for one reason or another. I would like to see revenue to. I don't think that revenue is too far out. However, what I would really like to see is a partnership with Phono Solar and their $15 billion/revenue/year parent. I think one is coming. I don't think that Phono Solar will tell Natcore:
We want to pay multimillions for each CVD furnace, as opposed to 1 million(?) for your AR-Box.
We want to burn silane and tons of natural gas in order to polute the environment.
We want to produce solar cells with lower efficiency.
We want no part of reducing the amount of silicon in our solar cells.
We want our solar cells to cost more.
We like the fact that the CVD production method is more dangerous than the LPD method.
Oh, and you can shove the tandem cell, we have already told you that we want solar cells that have lower efficiency, and, we do not want to be successful and look forward to being put out of business.
Basically, this is what any solar cell producer is telling Natcore if they don't want to partner.
Phono Solars modules have a low 14.8% efficiency:
http://www.phonosolarusa.com/med/press-releases/107-phono-solar-to-reveal-new-strategy-at-intersolar-san-francisco-booth-8357-
http://www.phonosolarusa.com/products-a-solutions/photovoltaic-modules/monocrystalline-modules/235-260w-mono-u-series
Tom Scarpa on Phono Solar:
Good Morning nashville,
Natcore's management and scientists are world class.
Natcore has steered clear of venture capital and their take over of the company.
Natcore has already proven that the LPD process works for solar cell AR-coating and for passivating black silicon. The risk is in successfully launching the product. MX Holding has shown a desire to not only use the LPD process, but to work with Natcore on further development, and include Natcore in the solar cell plant ownership structure. I put Natcore's probability of future success at over 90% (sounded like Dr. Flood put it at 100%, but then he knows a lot more about where Natcore is headed than we do).
http://tmx.quotemedia.com/article.php?newsid=37302036&qm_symbol=NXT:CA
http://tmx.quotemedia.com/news.php?qm_symbol=NXT#page2
Other reasons to believe that Natcore will be highly successful:
http://www.natcoresolar.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=49&Itemid=54
JB
Hello MrC,
Hello teq0904,
Hello futr,
I thought it was very good that Dr. Flood mentioned that he and Dr. Barron were extremely happy with the job Chuck and Brien have done.
Dr. Flood felt bad about the existing duct work failing inspection and causing a delay. I could tell that he has put pressure on himself to commercialize the AR-Box. He mentioned that he wants to get revenue coming in at least four times during our conversation.
Dr. Flood stated that the flexible thin-film roll-to-roll product is ahead of the silicon wafer tandem cell time wise, due to the work that was done at Vanguard. With funding, this would be Natcore's next product out the door. He seemed very excited about this product which he said will be very competitive.
I was very happy to hear that the silicon wafer tandem cell research will be moved to the Rochester lab. This needs to be a year round full time project. Dr. Flood said the move will accelerate the development. Makes me wonder if Natcore now feels that they will have the money to develop it.
I felt like the pending announcement of the NREL licensing agreement was big news. With the agreement in hand, Natcore can process black silicon wafers using their AR-Box, have them tested, be ready for the Phono Solar visit, and send the 1000's of sample wafers out to potential AR-Box customers. I posted Tom Scarpa's email which stated that Natcore was hopeful of signing a partnership agreement with Phono when they visit.
There's a lot happening at Natcore!
JB
nashville, I could have done a better job of explaining the 'etching tool'.
Originally the AR-Box consisted of 4 tubs and was designed to apply the AR-coating on flat surface silicon wafers. The 'etching tool' is an additional set of 4 tubs that will clean, acid etch, dry and coat. Dr. Flood said most of the companies that will use the AR-Box will want the 8 tub version which will enable them to produce a black silicon surface and coat it with a thin film of silicon dioxide, or apply an AR-coating to a flat surfaced silicon wafer. The black silicon acid etching process is definitely NREL's.
Your top #1 is the black silicon Natcore is using. The "Black Silicon" surface is the antireflective coating.
Your top #3 does not mention black silicon. I don't know what type of textured wafer they were applying the AR-coating to.
Thanks Dom, that's a great article.
I just got off the phone with Dr. Flood. We had a pretty lenghty conversation. I'm pretty sure we all know how brilliant Dr. Flood is, I must say he is also a great guy to talk to and is willing to explain answers to questions in detail.
I started out by congratulating Natcore on the MX LOI. Dr. Flood stated that this deal is a very big development. He said it will be very beneficial to Natcore. He went on to say that this deal, and black silicon, will mean that Natcore has successfully navigated it's way through the valley of death (a place that many start up companies end up before they can launch a product, even if their technology is first rate).
I commented that I thought Natcore had done a good job of getting to this point without a lot of dilution and while not losing control of the company. Dr. Flood stated that Dr. Barron and himself are extremely happy with the job that Brien Lunden and Chuck Provini have done. He said that it is now on Dr. Barron and himself to get products out the door. He said they are pushing hard to do that, and that the AR-Boxes will be the first product to hit the market. When I asked him for a date, he said he has a deal with Chuck. He handles the technology and Chuck handles the rest. I got the impression that we are close.
We should be notified of a final black silicon agreement with NREL soon, possibly as early as next week. Dr. Flood confirmed that black silicon does not require an AR-coating. He said that the 3 micron thick layer of black silicon on the wafer is the AR-coating. What is applied to the black silicon coated wafer is a thin layer of silicon oxide. This silicon oxide passivates the wafer when the contacts are sintered to it. Dr. Flood stated that the AR-Box system will include a silicon etching production tool for those that want to produce black silicon coated wafers (nashville, it looks like there was some confusion on the part of the person that told you Natcore would purchase the black silicon wafers from NREL). Most module manufacturers use both monosilicon and polysilicon. One can be made into solar cells using black silicon and the other can be made into solar cells using black silicon or standard wafers. The standard wafers receive an AR-coating.
Dr. Flood said they expect to have silicon quantum dot arrays on sample discs, under glass, for viewing at the New Orleans' Investment Conference.
The Phase 2 build out at the Rochester lab is actually an extension of Phase 1. The inspector said that the existing duct work, which had been installed by Kodak, has to be replaced with plastic duct work for ventilation. Should be done next week. Dr. Flood is reviewing applications for junior scientists and lab techs. Natcore plans to add 5 or 6 by the end of the year (this is in addition to the 2 scientists and 1 lab tech already employed). The extra help is needed for the roll-to-roll labratory bench work (as he called it). This work can be completed without additional funding. Funding will be needed for the ramp-up to production. The first thin-film roll-to-roll product will not be the tandem offering. However, Dr. Flood said it will be very competitive. Natcore plans to accelerate the development of the silicon wafer tandem cell by moving the lab work from Rice U to Rochester next year.
Natcore plans to start a subsidiary to handle the mixing and supplying of chemicals to its AR-Box customers.
I'm glad we escaped from the valley of death!
JB
Good Morning nashville,
It's good to see "NREL" grants an exclusive license.
I'm surprised by the "Natcore will be applying their ARC to black silicon cells provided by NREL" statement. Tom Scarpa had told me that Natcore was purchasing equipment from Microtech for etching wafers in order to produce the black silicon cells. Maybe something has changed.
At any rate, I agree that black silicon will be a huge source of revenue!
JB
Good Morning MRPANCAKE,
Hello Art,
First, MX Holdings CEO states that Natcore's LPD process delivers better, more efficient, and lower cost solar cells. As if that weren't enough,
My guess is that MX Solar will add most of the 50 New Jersey jobs as they expand their module production using solar cells made using the LPD process.
Thanks Dom, that's an interesting article, happy to see the super-thin silicon wafer research. Every advantage Natcore can muster is good for them and good for us. Good to see the press coverage as well.
N.J. startup partners with largest solar manufacturer in Italy
Natcore Technology, a solar startup in Red Bank, plans to announce today it is forming a partnership with the largest solar manufacturer in Italy.
Under a joint venture with MX Holding, the two firms will explore how to make efficient cells in a cost-effective manner, said Natcore CEO Chuck Provini. Researchers will also look into a new process to make super-thin silicon wafers to reduce costs by more than 80 percent, he said.
Research and development will take place at two plants near Milan and one in Somerset. The deal is expected to create up to 15 jobs in New Jersey in the coming weeks, and up to 50 more over the next few months.
The two parties met in May through a solar energy forum organized by state Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno, Provini said. At the time, Natcore was preparing to launch a process to make anti-reflective coatings for solar panels at room temperature rather than at high temperatures, thus reducing waste.
“Italy has emerged as a major solar panel production center in Europe, and we believe our new ventures here will serve as a launching pad for global sales,” he said.
Natcore, which went public on the Canadian stock exchange in 2008 but has yet to report any sales, has also been exploring methods to create fabric-like solar panels, and stacked solar cells that allow sunlight to penetrate, he said. The company works closely with Rice University, with which it has an exclusive licensing agreement.
MX Holding, on the other hand, said it had been searching for technology to differentiate itself from other manufacturers, who tend to buy materials from the same companies in Germany and Asia.
“We were looking for an advantage, something that could enable us to make better solar cells with greater efficiency or lower cost,” said MX Holding CEO Carmelito Denaro.
It is Natcore’s second joint venture, both of them outside the United States. The company is also working with an industrial development zone in Zhuzhou, China.
Provini said he’s had a difficult time attracting American companies, in part because the way U.S. renewable energy incentives are structured encourages solar companies to manufacture and install, rather than invest in new technology.
http://mobile.nj.com/advnj/db_/contentdetail.htm?contentguid=kdDOP6bm&full=true#display
I've been wondering why Phase 2 of the lab in Rochester wasn't built out at the same time as Phase 1. I've been hoping that the pending President's Message will answer that. Maybe Phase 2 will be for mixing "the secret sauce", and Natcore will need that sauce sooner than anticipated? http://www.cleanenergyauthority.com/solar-energy-news/lack-of-us-solar-investment-for-new-jersey-natcore-101811/
JB
Good Morning Dom,
Where did you see this? I missed it.
In the last NR, they state that the JV will create 15 jobs and more (up to 75 if i recall correctly) in Rochester... Anyone has a clue what job they'll do? Assuming most of R&D will be made in Italy... Ar-box manufacturing? LPD chemical sales department?
JB
Thanks Doug, you need to add Natcore to the end of your screen name = ariadndndoughnatcore or ariadndndoughntcxf. jk
jb excellent post once agian. but its the kind of post that makes you pause for moment and realize just how special of stock we have invested in.
It's all about this:
Additional tandem cell module advantages.
I've added more detail below this previous post:
OK, thanks mikelift,
That's probably a good thing. I know Provini doesn't like VC firms. He said they either want to flip the company for a quick profit, or they want to take control of the board and run the company. I think his dislike of VC firms is the reason Natcore went public to raise money. I'm glad Natcore choose this path.
JB