RED BANK, N.J.,
Oct. 30, 2013 /PRNewswire/
-- An independent study has concluded that Natcore
Technology's (NXT.V; NTCXF.PK; 8NT) black silicon technology could
reduce silicon solar cell production costs by up to 23.5%.
The savings derive from a streamlining of the production process
whereby a silicon wafer is processed into a black silicon solar
cell.
To make solar cells, manufacturers typically acquire silicon
wafers from an outside source. Since these wafers are cut from a
large ingot, they usually have saw damage, which must be removed.
To make a conventional solar cell, manufacturers must first remove
the saw damage, then texturize the wafer surface, and then apply an
antireflective coating.
To make a black silicon cell using Natcore's proprietary
process, manufacturers would be able to replace the texture etch
with a black silicon etch which in itself would create a highly
effective antireflective coating.
Thus the most expensive part of the solar cell process – the
equipment and material costs associated with high-temperature
chemical vapor deposition of a silicon nitride antireflective
coating – is completely eliminated.
Natcore asked analysts at the country's leading black silicon
research facility to quantify the cost saving to be realized from
omitting these steps. Using a "bottom up" manufacturing cost
estimating methodology, the analysts calculate the production cost
of a conventional silicon solar cell to be 17 cents per watt.
In comparison, the study projected that cells made using Natcore's
black silicon process would cost about 13 cents per watt.
The resulting savings of 3
cents/watt – 4 cents/watt
represent a production cost reduction of up to 23.5%. "When solar
companies are scrambling to save fractions of a cent, a saving of 3
cents – 4 cents per watt is momentous," says Dr.
Dennis Flood, Natcore's co-founder
and Chief Technology Officer.
In addition to the dramatic cost reduction, Natcore's test,
which was conducted using monocrystalline silicon, had an important
environmental benefit: it eliminated the need for silane, a highly
toxic gas that combusts upon exposure to air. Natcore may plan a
similar test using polycrystalline silicon at a later date.
"We knew there would be a cost saving," says Chuck Provini, Natcore's president and CEO. "We
were surprised that it was so large. In fact, production-cost
savings of this magnitude will likely overshadow any power gains of
black silicon and will make Natcore's technology a must-have for
the world's solar cell manufacturers.
"To put it into perspective," he notes, "a recent article by
Shyam Mehta, senior solar analyst of
GTM Research ('Technology not materials to drive down Chinese solar
costs,' August 2013), predicts that
Chinese manufacturers will be able to cut prices by only
one cent in the next year or so. We
could quadruple those savings in one fell swoop. We feel so
optimistic about this development that we've begun making plans to
take our technology to market."
"The full cost of a solar cell is the sum of two parts: the cost
of the silicon wafer and the cost of the processing steps required
to turn the wafer into a working solar cell," says Flood. "Cell
manufacturers have no control over the cost of the silicon wafers
they buy. As a result they are always looking for ways to control
their production costs, but with a very important caveat:
cost cutting must not lower cell performance in any way.
Natcore's black silicon processing technology results in solar
cells that meet or exceed the industry's requirement and at the
same time provide a spectacular reduction in finished cell cost.
Natcore's technology can easily be retrofitted into existing solar
cell production lines and can just as easily be incorporated into a
new line. Black silicon seems poised to become the industry's
standard approach."
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
Info@natcoresolar.com
www.natcoresolar.com
SOURCE Natcore Technology