Two organizations, SUNRGI and the University of Tel Aviv are claiming some pretty big advances in solar efficiency. SUNRGI claims power generation at 7 cents per kilowatt hour by mid-2009. That's their component on the right, and as you can see, it uses lensed glass to concentrate those sweet rays.

The University of Tel Aviv, on the other hand, has some even loftier claims. Get this: highly efficient solar cells a fraction of the cost of silicon thanks to photosynthesis, genetic engineering and nanotechnology.

Now that your attention is piqued...

The reactive element in the researchers' patent pending device is genetically engineered proteins using photosynthesis for production of electrical energy.

The scientists applied genetic engineering and nanotechnology for the construction of a hybrid nano -- bio, solid state device. According to the researchers, although using photosynthesis for photovoltaic application is not new, their specific technique is the first to enable the production of useful photosynthesis-based photovoltaic cells.

They're discussing some pretty short time frames here. Hopefully they can deliver.