Does this not violate physics? (Score 2, Informative)

If we are talking about traditional p-n type solarcells, they physically can't do better than ~37% IIRC. There is just no way to avoid some (alot!) charge recombination. In addition there is a lot of solar energy that is not within the absorption curve. I really hate it when people throw numbers around without a reference. All photovoltaics should be referenced to AM 1.5 (the typical energy that reaches the earth). The solar people all talk about photosynthesis as 'near 50%' but that is only over the narrow absorption range of the special pair and does not include any further electron transfer steps. I have to concur that it is all about making them cheaper. That said, while you can trade effiency for cost, the who 'nanocrystal photovoltaics' died a quite death cause the charge transfer was just SO piss poor due to it being an amorphous device. Now if someone can figure out how to add some structure (chemical self assembly) then you might have something. As with most other hyped science I would not hold your breath. Engineers are damn cleaver people and my bet is on the thin film amorphous silicon and cadmium telleuride ribbons being developed. solarcell