The information age is pathing the way to the next tech ages, and the ones with the most promise seem to be biotech and nanotech. Nanotech is going to revolutionize materials science, in both the macro and micro scale. The same tech that will allow us to build materials capable of feats of engineering such as a space elevator someday also has tons of other uses. An US Air Force research team has found a use for carbon nanotubes to create 3D photovoltaic cells, a huge increase in solar power efficiency. In the near term it is planned to be used on satellites to increase power efficiency, but along with Australian research in dyes it's the 2nd major breakthrough for solar power in a year. And http://www.sciencealert.com.au/news/20070604-14870.html Renewables as a real contributor to our power grid just got another step closer...
I'm with Dan. I also think that in hot climates like Arizona where I live, some kind of PV whatsit ought to be done to windows as well. That was not only does the window not transmit so much solar energy into the house (thereby lowering temperatures) but also adds even more electricity (for cheaper cooling).
Here's the full article: http://www.nanowerk.com/news/newsid=1763.php Unfortunately they didn't give specifics on the increase in efficiency.
