Natcore Technology Inc (NTCXF)

[JB3729]

Good article dom. However, the chart is showing world record pv cell efficiency achieved in the lab. Some might think that these efficiencies are present in mass manufacturing.

After six years of intensive R&D, the world record holding PERL solar cell design from the University of New South Wales (UNSW) has been successfully commercialized to Suntech’s production lines as Pluto™ solar cells and HiPerforma™ solar modules. Well exceeding efficiencies achieved by conventional screen-printing processes, Pluto technology has been independently verified to reach efficiencies of greater than 19% in mass production.

Pluto cells feature a unique texturing process that improves sunlight absorption, even in conditions of low and indirect light. Our innovative Pluto cell design and ultra-fine top contact gridlines combine to boost power output, delivering a 10-15% performance advantage using the same materials, wafers, and module line equipment as a standard cell.

Suntech's unique texturing process is probably similar to black silicon, but likely not as good (their cells are blue not black, which means more reflection of sunlight). It took Suntech 6 years to commercialize the Pluto technology and with 'only' 19%+ efficiency results. This efficiency may be as high as they are able to go. Suntech uses the CVD method, which involves high temperature ovens, to AR-coat their wafers. The use of high temperature ovens prevents Suntech from producing a tandem cell, according to what Natcore has told us. Suntech should, and hopefully will, adopt Natcore's LPD technology.

It's kind of interesting that the world record lab efficiency is 25%. Natcore believed that their production tandem cell would have 30%+ efficiency before black silicon and other panel fabricator improvements came along. The earliest version of the tandem cell could be much higher than 30%+.

Speaking of 25%, here is a post of a conversation I had with Dr. Flood. I mistakenly wrote Dr. Barron many times in my post ...

I just ended a conversation with Dennis Flood, Natcore's Chief Technology Officer. Tom Scarpa had asked Dr. Flood to call me with the answer to a couple of my technical questions.

We discussed the new R&D lab that is behind the current pp. The plan is to staff it with a PHD in chemistry, a PHD in electronics who specializes in material sciences, and lab techs. The current University labs that Natcore utilizes are staffed with graduate school students that can only work part time on projects. Dr. Barron stated that the new lab will accelerate research work.

My main question for Dr. Barron related to the last PR which states " scientists formed a multilayered array". I wanted to know if the quantum dots in each of these layers had been stacked one on top of the other. The answer was no, not yet, that is the next step. I commented that I can't imagine how it is possible to locate dots, that are in a liquid, on a surface in exactly the right spots. His reply was that scientists can do some amazing things. Currently the dots are all charged positively so that there is the desired separation between them while being encapsulated. This is as far as Dr. Barron went on this subject.

I asked if the current version of the tandem cell is commercially viable after the necessary refinements are made in order to advance it to the factory floor. Dr. Barron said absolutely, and that the non-structured tandem cell would probably have about 25% efficiency as long as not more than 10% of the quantum dots become clustered together during the LPD layering process. (Very cool huh!) I asked if Natcore is willing to release this version of the tandem cell while still working on the ultimate tandem cell. He thought so, but wasn't sure.

Dr. Barron stated that in all of his many, many years of involvment with solar, he has never seen a process that in the end will have the impact that LPD will have. He added that the LPD process is a world beater in price and performance. (This isn't coming from a sales guy!)

The NanoProtect X-Ray Shielding products will have nano tubes in the yarn, according to Dr. Barron. The products will be slightly heavier than thick clothing.

Dr Barron stated that Natcore hoped to have money in hand and agreements within 6 months for roll to roll flexible thin film start up. He estimated there would be a one year pilot level readiness in order to run a chunk on large roll to roll. He thought it would then take another six months to production. Dr. Barron mentioned that Kodak is still very much in the picture.

Dr. Barron then discussed a possible LPD application I wasn't aware of. He said that the first step in silicon cell production has to do with applying a glass like coating to the silicon sheet (I'm not sure he called it a sheet). This creates a large single diode (I think this is what he called it). The glass like coating is applied in an oven. The coating process takes about one hour. Natcore believes that this process can be accomplished by using their LPD process. However, Natcore hasn't had the time to pursue this yet. (The silicon sheet(?) is only about 1/1000" thick)

I like what I heard.

JB