Natcore develops new processes for foil cell

Rochester, New York based technology company Natcore has announced two new processes, which it says could dramatically reduce production costs of its foil cell, which it has been working to commercialize for the past couple of years.

March 16, 2018 Mark Hutchins

Equipment at Natcore's Research and Development center in Rochester, NY.

Photo: Natcore

Natcore says that it has streamlined the production methods for its foil cell, eliminating the use of lasers in creating the back contact cell structure, and improving on a foil metallization process which it says is both cheap and compatible with high speed production processes.

The foil cell uses heterojunction technology, and replaces silver with much less costly aluminum. The company achieved 20.7% efficiency on the cell back in May 2017, and is now targeting 25%, as well as further cost reductions, with the improved processes. As well as the aluminum metallization, the company has replaced lasers with a ‘carrier selective contact process’ to create the cell’s all back contact structure.

Further details of either process were not provided, Natcore says it is now beginning an ‘accelerated development program’ to produce a prototype foil cell using these processes, and to provide cost and efficiency modelling from independent authorities.

Natcore also plans to conduct a financing round, details of which are not yet determined, to fund this development program. The company’s ultimate goal is pursue partnerships in industry to commercialize its technology.

“Because Natcore’s Foil Cell will represent a generational leap in performance,” says Natcore Chairman Brien Lundin, “we are confident that major industry players will join us in advancing our technology to market.”

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