To reach a point where our global economy can rely on Solar driven energy production, we need to continue making major breakthroughs in fundamantal science.

We still know relatively little about the fundamentals of photosynthesis and how we might replicate the process in materials used to turn energy from the sun into 'clean electrons and molecules'.

Sunlight can be used to capture photons for heat (solar thermal), electricity (photovoltaics) or direct hydrogen production.  We are looking at ways of capturing Solar Energy in silicon and carbon based materials, and also using molecular machines inside of algae and bacteria.  We must also find a way to store solar energy efficiently and at a low cost.

List of 11 Solar Energy Breakthroughs in 2008

Category: Energy
Year: Beyond
Tags: energy, solar, thinfilm, electricity, nanotechnology, thermal, hydrogen