MakeHeat

Used more for new construction, Building Integrated PhotoVolaics (BIPV) is slowly gaining ground.  Rather than poking a panel on a pole and sticking it in the dirt where there’s no shade, or racks of panels on the roof, BIPV integrates solar electric, energy efficient design and archetecture:

“…Whenever you approach an industry from a different perspective, that’s when you produce very interesting products, said JD Albert of SRS Energy.  SRS produces curved roofing tiles made of PV that are designed to fit into the mission-style architecture of the southwestern region of the U.S.  Curved red clay roof tiles there are modeled after the Mediterranean roof styles found in Spain and elsewhere. …”

BIPV Market Gaining Traction | Renewable Energy World.

Hot Electrons Could Double Solar PowerA novel approach could turn more sunlight into electricity.

via Technology Review: Hot Electrons Could Double Solar Power.

Waste heat from glass manufacturing will soon be recaptured by special thermal photovoltaic cells.  These cells convert this heat into electicity using nano-scale solar cells (see link for picture).  By heating specific materials to the proper temperature, they will emit the wavelength that is transformed most efficiently by the Thermal Photovoltaic Cell.  

Technology Review: Better Thermal Photovoltaics.