MIT is becoming known for its tendency to play with solar. They're at it again (previously at it here and here) and they say that this time their breakthrough could increase solar cell efficiency  "by a factor of 40," with rock bottom manufacturing costs.

Most solar panels make better doors than windows, but MIT's panel is a window, of sorts. Rather than use a large, expensive PV array, the researchers' new device works as a kind of solar concentrator which uses two or more dyes to collect light of several wavelengths and transmit it to the outer edges of the plate where solar cells await. The clever combination of engineering and light physics puts a whoopin' on the two biggest barriers to prolific solar, cost and efficiency.

The basic idea has been around since the 1970's, but until now dyes were to unstable and too much light was lost on the way to the solar cells. Furthermore, old solar collectors had to follow the sun and cool solar cells at the focal point.

Researchers on the project say that the technology could be added to existing solar systems, increasing their efficiency by 50% at minimal cost.

Don't expect the aproned helpers at Home Depot for installation tips just yet; the short-lived dyes only last for 3 months and can't be used for production. However, the company that plans to commercialize the technology (started by 3 of this project's researchers) thinks that organic light-emitting diode (OLED) technology used in TV's could be ported as a substitute.

Bonus Link: Watch MIT's sport-coated Mark Baldo explain the technology in front of impressive-looking equipment.