Natcore’s New Research Improves the Efficiency of Standard Silicon Solar Cells

A research project of Natcore Technology by Natcore scientists at Rice University under the guidance of Prof. Andrew Barron has declared its success in forming a multilayered array of silicon quantum dots set in a silicon dioxide matrix.

The project utilized the liquid phase deposition (LPD) process formulated by Rice University and entirely approved the use of Natcore to grow the array made up of silicon quantum dots of less than three nanometers in diameter. The project has proved the capability to complete the important step of producing a three dimensional matrix of quantum dots that are required for the establishment of a fully working tandem cell. This feat ensures the capability of Natcore in independently controlling the wavelength region as well the degree of optical absorption in tandem cells while depositing them over a standard silicon solar cell. Such an autonomous control over the two mentioned factors provides Natcore total adaptability to increase the functioning of the second junction in tandem devices with two-cells or the extra two junctions if it is a three-celled tandem device.

The three-junction tandem solar cells that are utilized for space applications are manufactured utilizing costly semi-conducting materials for the top layers and an exclusive vacuum treating technology. The new technology introduced by Natcore does away with the use of such costly materials for the top layers or the exclusive vacuum treating technology. The newly found stacked arrays when appended over a standard silicon solar cell considerably improve the power production efficiency of the solar cells by nearly 30%.