A team at the Masschusetts Insititute of Technology (MIT) have developed a clever new technology that could significantly reduce the cost of generating solar power.

The technique uses transparent organic dyes that are painted onto the surface of a pane of glass. Depending on their colour, the dyes trap different wavelengths of sunlight, concentrate it and redirect it along the surface to photovoltaic (PV) cells in the frame of th  e window. This could mean that PV cells would only be necessary at the edges of the window in order to convert the concentrated and redirected light into electricity.

With less PV cells this would mean a less expensive technology and greater availability. It is estimated that the edges of the glass panel could be 100 times smaller than the surface itself which would mean 100 times fewer PV cells would be necessary. By using the dyes in carefully chosen ratios the scientists were able to accurately control how much light was absorbed by the panel and transported across it.

The engineers at MIT claim the 'organic solar concentrator' device is relatively easy to manufacture and could be available within three years. In the mean time they have also suggested that the technology could be applied to standard solar panels to improve their efficiency. This would involve coating the panels to boost their collecting ability and it is estimated that this could nearly double the performance of existing solar cells for a minimal added cost. If it all works out the future could be brighter and cheaper.