Scientists at Rice University (USA) have developed a new process for the construction of the coatings of solar cells that could cut their production and improve efficiency, since it is able to absorb up to 99.7% the incident light. This is a technology, marketed by the company Natcore Technology, a start-up of Red Bank, New Jersey (USA), capable of producing thin coating layers applied on uniform solar cells greatly enhances their performance.

Solar energy could be the replacement of oil. If successful enough to develop, improving the performance of solar panels and reduce its price, in a few years the generation of electricity through this system could save the burning of millions of tons of fossil fuels. However, to make this possible we need to investigate novel methods and techniques that allow us to manufacture solar cells with performance than today. One team that is dedicated to this task is that of Rice University (USA), which has used a process capable of producing black solar cells, able to absorb up to 99.7% of incident light. You recall that an ideal black body is one that does not reflect light, it absorbs all the radiation light receiving surface. It is very difficult if not impossible, to get a "black" so black that retains 100% of the incident radiation, but the Rice team has achieved a very creditable 99.7% which provides solar panels a good increase in performance.



The new technology consists in the deposition of a coating layer on the surface of the solar cell by a process which takes place at low temperature, it differs from other similar gases used at high temperatures. The process is now being commercialized by a startup called Natcore Technology, also in the United States, for use in the manufacture of other products. But their incorporation in the manufacture of conventional solar panels, by adding an antireflective layer on the silicon wafers constituting the "heart" of solar cells so that these are capable of absorbing more light. Natcore plans to integrate this technology with others such as carbon nanotubes and the nanocrystals known as "quantum dots". Surely some time to do so will delay, but the combination of these technologies will produce solar cells with superior performance to conventional ones.



Processes using gases at high temperatures tend to be expensive, while the tuned-this time by not requiring high-tech facilities and high complexity, is cheaper and can produce cheaper solar cells. The CEO of Natcore, Charles Provini, believes that the process could save a typical plant producing solar panels around 750 thousand euros per year in electricity consumption. Scientists say that a solar panel built with this technology can provide twice the performance for every penny invested in their manufacture. In addition, the final product is lighter and flexible, which facilitates installation in surfaces and structures of all kinds. Natcore has received about 4.5 million euros through public offering, with plans to offer the patent process to companies in China and Italy, and say at least four manufacturers of solar cells are ready to buy the machines capable of make the new coating.

green energy,Natcore,solar cells,solar energy,solar panels,Technology