Natcore Achieves Breakthrough Toward Bridging Economic Gap Between Solar and Conventional Power

RED BANK, N.J., July 13 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The research program of Natcore Technology Inc. (TSX-V: NXT; Pink Sheets: NTCXF) being conducted at Rice University under the direction of Prof. Andrew Barron has successfully encapsulated silicon quantum dots with a uniform coating of silicon dioxide.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20100713/NY34165 )

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20100713/NY34165 )

This represents a crucial milestone in Natcore's development of an all-silicon, super-efficient tandem solar cell. To the knowledge of Natcore scientists, such an encapsulization of individual silicon nanocrystals, or quantum dots (QDs), in silicon dioxide has never before been accomplished.

The silicon dioxide coating was achieved using Rice University's patented liquid phase deposition (LPD) process, to which Natcore has the exclusive worldwide license. As a result of this unprecedented accomplishment, Natcore can now work toward the construction of multiple layers of silicon QDs in orderly, three dimensional arrays that could more efficiently absorb shorter wavelength light (i.e., higher-energy photons) than is possible in ordinary bulk silicon.

When added to the top of a standard silicon solar cell, such stacked arrays could significantly increase the efficiency of the silicon solar cell at a much lower cost per additional watt than that of the original cell itself. Theoretical calculations by various independent research groups and published in the open literature show that efficiency of over 30% for tandem solar cells in terrestrial sunlight is possible.

Efficiency of greater than 30% would represent approximately double the power output of today's commercial silicon solar cells, and would likely bridge the economic gap between solar and conventional power generation.

Tandem solar cells are a proven technology currently employed in space applications. The major issue preventing their broad use in earth-based applications has been the need to use exotic semiconducting materials for the upper layers, and the expensive special vacuum processing technology that limits large-scale production.

In contrast, Natcore's LPD technology eliminates the need for such materials and their costly processing, and promises to usher in a period of unprecedented growth in the application of solar cells for electrical power generation.

Chuck Provini, Natcore's president and CEO, notes "This is a huge step toward a super-efficient solar cell. By encapsulating QDs in silicon dioxide, we hope to be able to stack them, much like ping-pong balls in a box. The resulting array promises to make a silicon tandem cell possible. We're now working aggressively toward that goal."

Natcore's chairman, Brien Lundin, says "This breakthrough is testimony to the abilities of Prof. Barron and his team, as well as the versatility of our LPD process. These fundamental achievements could revolutionize solar technology and many other applications and industries as well."

This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation to buy any of the securities in the United States.  The securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended ("the U.S. Securities Act") or any state securities law and may not be offered or sold in the United States or to U.S. Persons unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or an exemption from such registration is available.

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.

SOURCE Natcore Technology Inc.