Solar dreams

The inability to
produce cheap and
efficient
photovoltaic cefls
that convert solar energy
into electricity has,
till now, hamstrung
solar power
generation,
Scientists have
-xperi-
mented with
alternatives to
silicon
(used for
photovoltaics) like
organic
polymers, which,
while being
cheaper and easier to
process, are
not effective enough.

Now 2 groups, working
at the
University of
California, Santa Barbara, and at
Cambridge University,
have succeeded in
evolving a new
design which could
increasethe efficiency of
polymer-based solar
rells.
But hopes of
commercial applications are yet
premature because the
material is unstable
in strong light
(Science, Vol 269,
August 18, 1995).