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10% savings for black silicon cell production with dry etching.
https://www.pv-magazine.com/2018/09/05/scientists-claim-10-saving-for-black-si-cell-production-with-dry-etching/
Dr. David Levy's profile on Linked-in now shows that he is now Senior Scientist at Mosaic Microsystems in Rochester, NJ.
Here's a link to Mosaic Microsystems:
https://www.mosaicmicro.com/index.php/en/
Looks like he is transferring his nano-science skills from film (Kodak, Natcore) to glass.
https://asunow.asu.edu/20180730-asu-research-demonstrates-silicon-based-tandem-photovoltaic-modules-can-compete-solar
"Holman’s research group is a leader in silicon-based tandem photovoltaic technologies, having held the efficiency world record in collaboration with Stanford University for a perovskite/silicon tandem solar cell until last month. As the team strives to reclaim the record while sticking to inexpensive materials and simple processes, it now knows that its innovations will likely find their way to a U.S. rooftop."
Natcore at the WECPEC-7 Conference
Monday June 11
10:30 - 12:00 PM PLENARY - KEYNOTE: OPENING KEYNOTE
11:30 WCPEC Award Introduction
Lawrence Kazmerski. WCPEC Award Chair
11:40 Presentation by World Photovoltaic Energy Award Recipient
Dennis Flood. Natcore Corp
Wednesday. June 13
ORALS - AREA 4: METALLIZATION, CONTACT FORMATION AND MODULE INTEGRATION
4:30
19.5%-Efficient Back-Contact Silicon Heterojunction Solar Cell with Self Aligned Metallization Using Multilayer Aluminum Foils
David H. Levy1, David E. Carlson2, Kathryn C. Fisher3, Joe V. Carpenter III3, Zachary C. Holman3. 1Natcore Technology, Rochester, NY, USA.2CarlsonPV, Williamsburg, VA, USA.3School of Electrical, Computer and Energy Engineering, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, USA
Natcore's Technology Officer to receive award:
http://www.4-traders.com/news/Natcore-Technology-May-25-2018-Natcore-Technology-rsquo-s-Flood-Presented-With-World-Photovoltaic--26660293/
Recent article in China PV Magazine:
https://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=zh-CN&u=https://www.pv-magazine-china.com/&prev=search
Natcore Developing "carrier selective contacts" all along
The previous two posts show that Natcore has been working with "carrier selective contacts" from the begining. Attention, however, was focused on the use of lasers. The use of lasers did not pan out. My guess is because silicon solar panels have to withstand severe hail storms and the laser process compromised the strength of the silicon.
In the meantime, did Levy and Carlson find a better way to make contact with their aluminum foil? Or, were lasers just a way to keep investors on board while they worked on getting some patents? Or, is this pivot to "carrier selective contacts" just another way to string investors along some more?
It is hard for me to tell where Natcore is headed. Levy's resignation is cause for concern. If he is not working full-time with a major solar cell manufacturer to get the aluminum foil cell into production, I think Natcore is finished.
Levy and Carlson on "carrier selective contacts"
David Levy and Dave Carlson from Natcore will be presenting a new back-contact back-junction (BCBJ) cell metallization at the 2017 IEEE-PVSC Conference in Washington (June 25-30). Instead of using deposited or printed metals, the cell contacts consist of aluminum foil laminates: very cheap, roll to roll processed structures made of aluminum foil bonded to insulating polymer dielectrics like PET (polyethylene terephthalate). We will discuss the fabrication of these cells and our latest results—including a novel approach to carrier selective contacts yielding our best cell efficiency to date. In addition to cell fabrication advantages, we will get into benefits in module construction, where a simplified cell-cell connection is possible relative to existing technologies.
https://www.facebook.com/NatcoreSolar/photos/a.221895367864290.59783.221875894532904/1350812428305906/?type=3&theater
Dr. David Levy and "carrier selective contacts"
"Natcore Technology is developing a new back-contact back-junction cell metallization based upon multilayer foil laminates. Capable of being produced in low-cost roll-to-roll processes, the laminates consist of aluminum foils bonded to an insulating film, yielding for example a preformed metal / dielectric / metal stack that can be used to contact the cell. The laminates are patterned and used to construct a cell with a high emitter fraction and point base contacts. In typical cells the emitter is a silicon heterojunction while the point base contacts are made using various modes of laser doping as well as carrier selective contacts."
https://sustainability.asu.edu/events/rsvp/development-of-all-back-contact-cells-using-multilayer-foil-metallization/
I got a acknowledgment that my message was received, but have not got a response yet. Use this link:
http://www.natcoresolar.com/contact-us/
From a February 3, 2015 Natcore Press Release:
"While in Japan, Dr. Flood also met with a Sharp Electronics team that is responsible for the development of heterojunction with intrinsic thin layer (HIT) solar cells. These are super high efficiency devices that could result in an efficiency of 25%. After exchanging non-disclosure agreements, Sharp agreed to send HIT cells to Natcore, which will then put all-back contacts on them using Natcore’s proprietary laser technology. In addition to further increasing cell efficiency, the Natcore all-back-contact technique will lower production cost by eliminating diffusion furnaces."
Is Sharp working with Natcore?
https://renewablesnow.com/news/sharp-touts-2509-efficiency-for-mono-c-si-solar-cell-606559/
Lundin Interview on Korelin Report:
Discussion of Natcore begins at 7:45 on the podcast. Lundin says the prototype will be ready in two months.
http://www.kereport.com/wp-content/uploads/2018_03_23-Brien-Lundin.mp3
Info on Carrier Selective Contact Processes:
https://www.nrel.gov/docs/fy15osti/61658.pdf
Hope this isn't the company Natcore planned on working with
https://www.pv-magazine.com/2018/02/21/jabil-closes-700-mw-module-factory-in-poland/
If this information about insider sales is true, it is not encouraging.
"Natcore Technology Inc. (OTCMKTS:NTCXF) has 0.00% since January 27, 2017 and is.
Since January 1, 0001, it had 0 buys, and 2 insider sales for $1.73 million activity. The Company is a provider of solar power products, services and system solutions with operations in North America, South America, Europe, Africa, the Middle East, Australia and Asia."
http://sbdirtysouthsoccer.com/2018/01/29/eps-for-first-solar-inc-fslr-expected-at/
Suntech and Canadian Solar using Natcore's Black Silicon Process:
https://www.pv-magazine.com/2018/01/04/suntechs-black-silicon-solar-cells-enter-mass-production/
Denso partner with Toyota and Mazda to make EV autos. Perhaps Denso can get some Natcore solar panels on the roof of these vehicles.
https://www.theverge.com/2017/9/28/16379394/mazda-toyota-new-electric-car-company
Financing may be tenuous:
http://www.pseccsolarfarms.com/20mw-simbrofo-ghana.html
"Our AustraSol consortium between Natcore in New York, USA and PSECC Solar Farms Ltd in the UK to provide full funding for solar farm development in Australia.
July 2017 - New ongoing discussions with Natcore, and our in Country expert, PSECC Solar Farms Ltd and the Polish investors are underway and we hope to get a decision soon on progressing solar cell manufacture here in Australia."
https://austrasol.com/current-projects
This new project at Arizona State University funded recently by from the DOE Sunshot Initiative looks like it may be working on Natcore's technology:
Arizona State University 3
Project Name: Electroplated Aluminum - An Alternative to Copper or Silver Electrode in Silicon Solar Cells
Location: Tempe, AZ
SunShot Award Amount: $225,000
Awardee Cost Share: $25,000
Principal Investigator: Meng Tao
Project Summary: This project is developing a simple, two-layer aluminum electrode to substitute the silver electrode in silicon solar cells. This includes the examination of electroplating to significantly reduce processing costs, improve module reliability and lifetime, and maintain high cell efficiency.
https://energy.gov/eere/sunshot/photovoltaics-research-and-development-2-modules-and-systems-pvrd2
Bundaberg working to become the solar capital of Australia-- this is where Natcore, Denzo and Denikon plan to build a solar farm:
http://www.energymatters.com.au/renewable-news/bundaberg-solar-capital-australia-em082/
Somebody thinks Natcore is a steal at today's prices. 195,000 shares traded before noon.
On closer examination, it appears that Vietnam's new FIT scheme is nearly the same as the previous one. Previously the FIT was 9.1 cents per kwh now it is 9.35 cents per kwh. The exemption from taxes was already in place.
Vietnam updates solar FIT scheme ans excludes taxes on imported goods for fixed assets to support solar energy:
https://solarthermalmagazine.com/2017/07/11/vietnam-introduces-solar-fit-scheme-support-solar-energy/
More Information on the research at ASU with Natcore:
Modular thinking may lead to cheaper, more efficient and reliable solar power
While Holman’s top cell research is in its very early stages, another project supported by SunShot may have a much more immediate impact on the industry.
“In this project, we’re working at the module scale, or product scale, if you will,” says Holman of the project. “We’re trying to figure out how to take good, commercially-manufactured silicon cells and do a better job of turning them into a module that is not only efficient and cheap, but reliable.”
The $800,000 award supports research to lower the cost of photovoltaic electricity generation in less than five years by developing a module comprised of back-contact silicon solar cells. While such cells commonly feature interlocking metal fingers on their reverse sides and no metal on their face, the researchers have chosen to eschew metal componentry entirely and instead utilize a “flex-circuit” to connect the cells. The flex-circuit is made of two layers of aluminum foil separated by an insulated layer.
By doing so, there is a reduced use of expensive silver or copper in the modules, which eliminates the need for failure-prone solder points. This will increase the reliability of the module, dramatically reducing the cost of modules and the electricity produced.
“Right now, modules come with a 25-year warranty,” explains Holman. “To calculate the cost of electricity from a solar module, you basically take how much electricity it will put out over 25 years divided by how much it cost. If you were to make a module that had a warranty of 40 years, it would cost roughly the same amount, but produce the electricity over a longer period of time. Just like that, the cost of solar energy would go down by a considerable amount.”
If the project is successful, Holman estimates the cost of rooftop photovoltaic energy generation could drop to just four cents a kilowatt hour. Currently, the average cost rests around 10 cents per kilowatt hour.
Holman is collaborating with Mariana Bertoni, assistant professor of electrical engineering, and Govindasamy Tamizhmani, associate research professor at the Polytechnic School on the project. He’s also formed a relationship with NREL to model the project cost to determine market viability. In addition, solar company Natcore Technologies is collaborating on the research.
Holman attributes the project’s core idea to long-time solar industry veteran Charlie Gay, who recently stepped into the role of director at the SunShot Initiative. Gay previously served as president of Applied Solar at Applied Materials Inc., a semiconductor, solar and display support services provider.
“He’s helped my group in many ways over the past two years, and he ended up coming to me with the idea for solar module manufacturing,” recalls Holman.
Reflecting on both awards, Holman notes both tie into larger research goals he’s established for himself and his group.
“I have tried to position my group as the go-to group for silicon-based tandem solar cells and modules, at least in the U.S.,” says Holman. “I’ve been committed to this topic for about two years now and I’m really excited to get started on the work that needs to be done.”
https://fullcircle.asu.edu/research/fulton-schools-takes-lions-share-solar-research-funding-sunshot/
Brien Lundin on the growth of solar:
So the “U.S. withdrawal from the Paris accord will have little impact on the growth of solar energy worldwide,” said Lundin.
http://www.marketwatch.com/story/natural-gas-solar-wont-suffer-from-trumps-plan-to-leave-paris-climate-accord-2017-06-05
With some further research and development, it might be possible for Natcore to add storage to its aluminum foil solar panels. Check out this article on battery research:
https://solarthermalmagazine.com/2017/05/14/battery-research-takes-different-direction/
Has Natcore's sunshot initiative grant with ASU been axed?
https://thinkprogress.org/arpa-e-funding-not-going-through-5da18dccd935
Vietnam sets Feed-in Tariff for Natcore's project:
https://www.pv-magazine.com/2017/04/19/vietnam-releases-fit-and-net-metering-scheme-for-solar/
More on Natcore's new partnership:
https://pv-magazine-usa.com/2017/04/05/natcores-foil-cell-creeps-closer-to-commercialization/
The government in India has a target of 175GW of renewable energy by 2022. It is actively promoting solar and wind power.
https://urvishdave.wordpress.com/2016/12/19/2016-year-in-review-for-renewable-energy-sector-across-india-a-new-dawn-in-renewable-energy/
A market research firm in India projects Natcore as one of the key players in the solarvoltaic market through 2022. Here's a quote from one of their brochures:
"Key Players of this market are DuPont, 1366 Technologies, Bandgap Engineering, Sinovia Technologies, SolarBuyer, Polyrise, Natcore, Targray, Ferrotec, Applied Materials, Cencorp and others. ”— Market Research Future
Solar Cell Capacity Goals & Means
Nice mention for Natcore Technology:
http://losangeleshightech.com/2017/03/solar-cell-capacity-goals-means/
Tipping point for solar cell efficiency approaching:
http://www.sunwindenergy.com/content/solar-cell-efficiency-approaching-tipping-point-to-widespread-adoption
Vietnamese news story about Natcore's progress in Vietnam:
https://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=vi&u=http://gwsolar.vn/natcore-nhan-duoc-su-chap-thuan-xay-nha-may-dien-mat-troi-200mw-tai-viet-nam/&prev=search