Solar cell breakthrough could hit 40 percent efficiency

One technology that I've been keeping my eye on for the last ten years or more, is Solar cells. Ever since I was a teenager with a hobby electronics kit, I have been fascinated by the possibility of getting free power from the sun. Solar cells always used to be very expensive, fragile, and not very efficient. Over the last 5 years, however, the technology has been getting a big push, as investors have realised the potential for long term payback, if Solar cells can be made cheaply enough, and efficient enough. The Koreans have made advances on flexible solar cells for about 1 Dollar per Watt output. That has captured the imaginations of engineers, as they realised that the solar 'fabric' could be used for skinning cars, houses, and any other construction without having to be protected from damage. Recently, and American company has announced the success of their research into transparent solar cells, that could be used as a coating on skyscraper glass walls - this could seriously reduce the cost of purchasing power from the grid. And now teams from the University of Arkansas and Arkansas State University have announced that their research could again double the efficiency of Solar cells, bringing them up to 40% efficiency. Wow ! The old PV cells used to struggle to get above 15% efficiency. They intend this new type of PV cell to be used in satellites and other space vehicles. I'm sure that given time, the technology will filter down to the civilian market.  There are some great advances being made in renewable energy right now, and I think the future looks great for it.