Swiss Scientists develop energy saving solar cells: Grätzel cells

Photosynthesis is one of nature´s most efficient way of producing energy and is almost as old as the planet itself. But until the early 90s, it was not paid much attention to in ways of producing electricity. Swiss scientists Michael Grätzel and Brian O´Reagan of École Polytechnique Fédéral de Lausanne found a way to transform light into electricity just as a plant does. 
In 2010, Michael Grätzel won the Millenium Technology Prize for this invention. 


Grätzel Cells are relatively easy in production: any dye is put on an electroconductive glass panel covered with nanoparticles. Then a second glass panel is covered with some graphite (this even works with pencil), that acts as a conduction multiplier. Plus some iodine solution, put under a lamp, this contruct will transform light into electrity. It is really as easy as this, but it took the scientists years of hard work.  


The cells are bendable and 50% cheaper in production compared to common solar cells.


Commercial applications of Grätzel cells are under way and will contribute to the Europe´s energy supply by 5% in 2020, according to the European Union Photovoltaic Roadmap, as part as 12% of photovoltaic based energy sources in general.