MIT researchers print solar cell on paper

From MIT (http://www.greentechnologydaily.com/new-technologies/689-mit-researchers-print-solar-cell-on-paper):

"Scientists at the Eni-MIT Solar Frontiers Research Center have successfully printed thin-film solar on paper. By coating white sheets of paper with organic semiconductors, the researchers are, in effect, able to turn an everyday object into a current-producing device."

At present, these solar cells are not very efficient (max of 2%), but continued research should be able to improve this.  When efficiency increases, cheap solar cells could revolutionize energy production.

"If 0.3 percent of the U.S. were covered with photovoltaics with 10 percent efficiency, solar power could produce three times the country's needs, including a transition to electric vehicles, Bulovic said. For example, the easement strip on highways could be coated with material that could capture energy from the sun."