I saw a program last night on Australia's ABC show "Catalyst". Scientists at the Australian National University have developed "sliver" solar cells by slicing up one regular solar cell into over 1000. This makes them a lot cheaper and more efficient, giving a ROI in about 7 years, rather than 20.
The following link has a transcript, sorry no video yet.
http://www.abc.net.au/catalyst/stories/s1865651.htm (http://www.abc.net.au/catalyst/stories/s1865651.htm)
Keep thinking outside the square...
Just adding some more info about the Sliver Cell.
Efficiency between 14 and 19%.
Available to by as a 10 W panel.
19 V, 0,6 A.
Possible 10 AU cents per kilowatt hour.
http://www.originenergy.com.au/about/template.php?pageid=1233
http://info.anu.edu.au/mac/Newsletters_and_Journals/ANU_Reporter/097PP_2006/_02PP_Autumn/_solar.asp
what material get's it's electrons knocked off? what's that stuff between the electrodes?
http://www.originenergy.com.au/files/SLIVERfactsheetFIN5.pdf