Bacteria-powered solar cell converts light to energy, even under overcast skies.

Bacteria-powered solar cell converts light to energy, even under overcast skies.University of British Columbia researchers have found a cheap, sustainable way to build a solar cell using bacteria that convert light to energy. Their cell generated a current stronger than any previously recorded from such a device, and worked as efficiently in dim light as in bright light. This innovation could be a step toward wider adoption of solar power in places like British Columbia and parts of northern Europe where overcast skies are common. With further development, these solar cells -- called "biogenic" because they are made of living organisms -- could become as efficient as the synthetic cells used in conventional solar panels.