New technology could, within the year, lower the price of solar energy below that of conventional energy. Developed by the U.S. Department of Energy, the "disruptive" technology" uses sunlight twice as efficiently as any previous technology. The new cells are designed in layers to most effectively use sunlight across the color spectrum, and are reliant on light-concentrating devices such as lenses and mirrors. They still need to be put through a year-long testing process to make sure they can stand up to environmental stresses, but at least one company plans to build a plant with similar cells next year.
Source: David Biello. Superefficient, cost-effective solar cell breaks conversion records. Scientific American, December 8, 2006.

Photo: Intensity of light at different wavelengths. Photo copyright Nature.com.