But there are additional benefits to be derived from black silicon.A panel made from black silicon solar cells will producesignificantly more energy on a daily basis than will a panel madefrom cells using the industry standard antireflective coating.First, because it reflects less light. Second, because it performsbetter during the morning and afternoon hours when the sun hits atan angle. (It also outperforms standard cell panels on cloudydays.) Its higher energy output, combined with a lower cost usingNatcore's patented process, could quickly make black silicon theglobal solar technology of choice. Natcore's process began with an uncoated, textured silicon waferthat had an average reflectance of approximately 8 percent, givingit a mottled gray appearance. First, nanoscale pores were etchedinto the wafer surface by submerging it for a few minutes in aliquid solution at room temperature. Next, using the company'sliquid phase deposition (LPD) process, Natcore scientists filledthe pores and then over-coated them with silicon dioxide. Thiscombination step both coated and passivated, thereby allowing lowerreflectance. After the surface treatments were completed, thewafers were taken to the State of Ohio's Photovoltaic Research andDevelopment Center at the University of Toledo, where thereflectance was measured. Conventional cells, with antireflective coatings made via achemical vapor deposition process that requires a high-temperaturevacuum furnace and hazardous gases, have a reflectance of about 4percent. With black silicon, the U.S. Department of Energy'sNational Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) lowered the numberbelow 2 percent. Now Natcore's technology has reduced it to 0.3percent, or virtually zero. "Absolute black is to reflected lightas absolute zero is to heat." says Dr. Dennis Flood, Natcore'sChief Technology Officer. "And getting close to zero reflectancewith a process that we can use for the production of commercialsolar cells is simply astounding." Natcore was recently granted an exclusive license by NREL todevelop and commercialize a line of black silicon products based onNREL patents. Natcore's reflectance accomplishment came about as anatural part of its work associated with that license. "We arealready working with two equipment manufacturers to design aproduction tool," says Natcore President and CEO Chuck Provini."The tool would make 2,000 black silicon wafers per hour. We'llestablish other parameters in our lab. When the design iscompleted, we'll take orders for the tool. We have already beguntalking with potential customers in Italy, China and India." Visit Natcore Technology at Courtesy of EETimes Europe ------------------------. We are high quality suppliers, our products such as Cutting Wire Rope , Bead Wire Wrapping Manufacturer for oversee buyer. To know more, please visits Bead Wire Wrapping.
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