A combination of international technology giants and small-scale startups may soon bring dye-sensitive solar cell (DSC) technology to a rooftop near you.

Now, DSC isn't as efficient as solar photovoltaic (PV) conversion, whose silicon-based cells currently dominate the global market for rooftop generation...

But researchers at Israel's 3GSolar hope to make an advantage out of DSC's low-cost organic dyes and titanium dioxide nanoparticles. The Jerusalem-based company is bringing the 20-year old DSC cell, invented by Swiss engineer Michael Graetzel and thus sometimes called the Graetzel cell, to rural electrification programs in Senegal.

3GSolar founder Jonathan Goldstein is racing R&D teams at Australia's Dyesol (ASX:DYE) and Japanese electronics giant Sharp (OTC:SHCAY) to transform small-scale rooftop DSC modules into practical contenders for utility-level power generation. In off-grid areas of many African countries like Senegal and even in underserved areas of fast-growing countries India and China, DSC could deliver both power generation and retention.

The storage and conversion of sunlight into electricity during times of day with little sunshine is still a sticking point when it comes to optimizing solar cell function and appeal.

DSC technology works based on principles of plant photosynthesis, which means conversion processes don't stop when clouds move in or darkness falls. And proponents say DSC also rivals thin-film PV for ease of integration into building materials.

BIPV (building-integrated photovoltaic) is a linchpin in next-generation solar, beyond rooftop modules. It will be an uphill battle for DSC developers to usurp the place that PV holds in government subsidy preference and consumer awareness. That's especially true since silicon prices are down on global economic weakness and silicon efficiency is coming up.

What is certain is that the competitive market for utility-scale solar will ultimately benefit from DSC innovation and a true rival to PV in the sector.

-Sam Hopkins