Sapphire - GTAT schreef op 27 februari 2014 14:57:
GT’s Recent Solar Cell Development Partnered with New Solar Stacking Techniques is a Ray of Sunshine
February 27, 2014?My Publications?GTAT, Solar, solar cells
A few days ago I gave everyone a spoiler of GT’s recent solar cell development plans as laid out from their recent patents along with my interpretation of the patent. I have now found a solar cell stacking method that could revolutionize modern solar day efficiency ratings when used in partnership with GT’s super slim solar cell developments.
A recent article published on 2/22/14 by the economist details some ground breaking work that has emerged out of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
John Rogers, of the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, is one. The cells he has devised (and which are being made, packaged into panels and deployed in pilot projects by Semprius, a firm based in North Carolina) are indeed better. By themselves, he told this year’s meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, they convert 42.5% of sunlight. Even when surrounded by the paraphernalia of a panel they manage 35%. Suitably tweaked, Dr Rogers reckons, their efficiency could rise to 50%. Their secret is that they are actually not one cell, but four, stacked one on top of another.
Below is my previous detail of GT management’s cliff hanger from Monday’s conference call which relates directly to Hyperion and Solar Cells:
we have a deployed a new technology that we expect will significantly impact the economics of producing solar cells and modules. This technology was developed and comes out of a research operation we established in the Bay Area over a year ago to focus on advancing the state of the art and the design and assembly of solar cells and modules. We look forward to talking with you about this development on our March ‘14 webcast.
Well here is your spoiler alert: Hyperion is going to be a “disruptive technology” and a “game changer” that can and will be applied across all of GTAT’s platforms in the foreseeable future and for the foreseeable future. During the March 14, 2014 webcast GT management will most certainly focus some of it’s attention on the design and assembly of solar cells and modules. I’ve done my best to translate the patents so everyone can understand the key takeaway. I’m sure the sci-fi team at GT Advanced Technologies will give a cleaner explanation but this is my best shot! Essentially GT has patented a new process that likely creates the lowest cost, thinnest and most efficient solar cell technology on the market The process to create this amazing innovation begins by leverage GT’s Hyperion technology (which is protected by over 50 patents) to fire hydrogen ions against a solar cell to create super thin solar cells that can be used in PV technology (solar panel). The super thin solar cells are more efficient due to design (cutting angle) allowing them to improve efficiency. They are lower cost due to Hyperion exfoliating abilities which allow for one of if not the thinnest solar cell produced in the industry (I hope the analysts ask if TG doesn’t tell us anyways). Further cost reductions are found because the Hyperion method of exfoliating the solar cells reduces waste that results from through traditional “kerf” methods.
Obscure Analyst’s Spoiler Alert Takeaway: GTAT may have just come up the most efficient solar cells available on the market today due to the degree of the cut plane of the solar cells which allows for more light absorption than traditional methods. The cost of the solar cells is greatly reduced because Hyperion allows up to a 2 for 1 benefit on thinness (current benefit might be 1.75 to 1) but it was 2:1 when GTAT acquired Twin Creeks in 2012. Lastly, the method of using Hyperion versus traditional kerf methods of cutting solar cells will greatly reduce the amount waste, which will lead to further cost savings. If I had to put names on who they are partnering with I would go with Yingli Green Energy or Trina Solar, who finished 2013 as #1 and #2 in PV supply. Below are two of GTAT’s key patents related to the growth and bonding of thin lamina.