Scientists working in the Rochester, N.Y., research and development center of Natcore Technology Inc. have produced an all-back-contact silicon heterojunction with intrinsic thin layer (HIT)-structure solar cell using its proprietary laser technology.
Natcore's HIT-structure cells are made using thin amorphous silicon layers in combination with a standard crystalline silicon solar wafer. The laser is used to apply contacts to the rear of the cell. In addition to further increasing cell efficiency relative to industry standards, Natcore says its all-back-contact technique could allow production of these high-efficiency cells at low cost.
‘Silicon HIT-structure cells have been shown to yield record efficiencies of greater than 25%,’ says David Levy, Natcore's director of research and technology.
