40% efficient solar cells

Scientists at a subsidiary of Boeing have published research on solar cells for electricity generation that are more than 40% effective. These are solar cells for use in concentrators, perhaps like the one in Seville, Spain, though that one of course heats water to make steam to turn a turbine. This is very exciting – pumping up solar cell efficiency is key to making solar power more cost-competitive when compared with traditional, polluting power sources like coal and nuclear.