A new type of solar cell that converts both the sun's heat and light into electricity

http://arstechnica.com/science/news/2010/08/new-solar-cell-uses-heat-to-beat-theoretical-limits.ars

A team of scientists has invented a new type of solar cell that converts both the sun's heat and light into electricity, potentially giving a boost to the efficiency of solar energy harvesting devices. The cell combines a photovoltaic process that turns light into electricity with another that converts heat; combined, they beat the current record for solar energy efficiency, as well as the theoretical efficiency limit of a cell of this design.

http://arstechnica.com/science/news/2010/08/new-solar-cell-uses-heat-to-beat-theoretical-limits.ars