# Discovery of a 'Dark State' Could Mean a Brighter Future for Solar Energy **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [December 18, 2011, 12:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discovery-of-a-dark-state-could-mean-a-brighter-future-for-solar-energy/606593 "2011-12-18T00:11:18Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 2\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Terr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/839c29/32.png) [@Terr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terr)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2011, 12:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discovery-of-a-dark-state-could-mean-a-brighter-future-for-solar-energy/606593/1 "2011-12-18T00:11:18Z")
> **[Discovery of a 'dark state' could mean a brighter future for solar energy](http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/12/111215141617.htm)** > > The efficiency of conventional solar cells could be significantly increased, according to new research on the mechanisms of solar energy conversion. # Zhu said that exploiting that mechanism could increase solar cell efficiency to 44 percent without the need for focusing a solar beam, which would encourage more widespread use of solar technology. 44% can be huge. The potential 60+% even huger. And having a cheap material to make solar panels can make this the thing that will finally bring a solar-panel-roof to every house. Could it be? ---
**Author:** ![Lumpy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lumpy/32/446_2.png) [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2011, 12:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discovery-of-a-dark-state-could-mean-a-brighter-future-for-solar-energy/606593/2 "2011-12-18T00:15:35Z")
Rember though we’re talking about a laboratory experiment, most of which don’t ever become marketable hardware. We can hope though.