Alliance Designed to Hasten Commercial
Integration of Natcore's Technologies Into Solar Modules
RED BANK, N.J., March 23, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Natcore
Technology Inc. (TSX-V: NXT; NTCXF.PK; DAX: 8NT) has signed a
joint development agreement with Eurotron B.V., a Dutch company that
manufactures automated equipment for the production of photovoltaic
modules.
Located in Bleskensgraaf, the
Netherlands, Eurotron has perfected a technology based upon
a patterned conductive backsheet that provides excellent
cell-to-module performance for back-contact solar cells. Because
Natcore scientists have had great success producing back-contact
cells with their proprietary laser technology – most recently a
silicon "HIT-structure" (heterojunction with intrinsic thin layer)
solar cell – a collaboration with Eurotron is a "perfect example of
synergy," according to Natcore President and CEO Chuck Provini.
The collaboration has three primary objectives:
- To adapt Natcore's laser process to a contact design that is
compatible with Eurotron's back contact technology;
- To enable Natcore to incorporate six-inch cells into
commercial-style modules, using both its own technology and
Eurotron's Backcontact Module technology;
- To explore possibilities for further cooperation wherein
Natcore would commercialize Eurotron's Backcontact Module
technology as it may be used in conjunction with Natcore's
laser-based technology on a new cell design.
Joint work will be performed in the Eurotron Competence Center,
a facility opened in May 2014 to
provide lab-to-fab testing and pre-production services for solar
cell/module technologies. The Competence Center is said to be the
first in the world dedicated to back-contact cell/module
technologies. Once Natcore has optimized their technology on a
small scale, they will produce prototype six-inch demonstration
cells for delivery to Eurotron.
"This alliance has enormous benefits for Natcore," says Provini.
"Because Eurotron's revolutionary back-contact technology is very
well suited to our technology, it will be relatively easy for us to
optimize the back contacts of our solar cell to fit with their
Backcontact Module.
"Whenever solar cells are assembled into modules, there is a
significant loss of efficiency," he adds. "According to Eurotron,
these cell-to-module losses, which are common in traditional
modules, will not occur on modules made using their production
tools. Modules built in the Eurotron Test Center have shown up to
4% cell-to-module power gain in best situations.
"Furthermore, this would give us another product to offer to
prospective best-of-breed customers."
"Our laser-processed back-contact cell and HIT-structure cell
were important proofs of concept for these high-efficiency solar
cells," notes Brien Lundin,
Natcore's Chairman. "Now our cooperation with Eurotron is designed
to put these cells into panels and prove commercial viability. We
are taking Natcore to an entirely new level."
"The developments we performed during the last years are calling
for high-efficiency cells," says Jan
Bakker, CTO of Eurotron. "Since ohmic losses are reduced to
an absolute minimum level, all investments in high-end cells can
now be harvested to the full extent."
The Project Managers will be Dr. David
Levy for Natcore Technology and Bart
de Gier for Eurotron. David
Levy is Natcore's Director of Research and Technology.
Bart de Gier is Eurotron's R&D
Program Manager.
Statements herein 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
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SOURCE Natcore Technology Inc.