john thalor reports. >> reporter: the sun gives us more energy we can use, it's eliminated, but solar power, such as from these rays, converting sunlight to electricity, remains too expensive. >> hopefully someone will figure out how to make more #w it. >> reporter: at stanford university, that somebody is nick. he showed us a tip like this may hold solar's future. >> we think it can be a big jump forward. a new physical process that's different from the normal way to convert that energy. >> reporter: what's holding back solar is a lack of efficiency. only 20% of the energy falling is converted to electricity. by combining heat and light, researchers here say they have a game changer. >> 50% or more increased in their efficiency, they'll drop the cost and make it highly, highly competitive or better than natural gas by plants. >> reporter: he says experiments confirm and make it efficiently at 1100 degrees, far too hot for today's solar cells. they could focus light and heat on the chip, making electricity while heating a steam turbine. >> this would replace at least during the daytim

john thalor reports. >> reporter: the sun gives us more energy we can use, it's eliminated, but solarower, such as from these rays, converting sunlight to electricity, remains too expensive. >> hopefully someone will figure out how to make more #w it. >> reporter: at stanford university, that somebody is nick. he showed us a tip like this may hold solar's future. >> we think it can be a big jump forward. a new physical process that's different from the normal way to convert that energy. >> reporter: what's holding back solar is a lack of efficiency. only 20% of the energy falling is converted to electricity. by combining heat and light, researchers here say they have a game changer. >> 50% or more increased in their efficiency, they'll drop the cost and make it highly, highly competitive or better than natural gas by plants. >> reporter: he says experiments confirm and make it efficiently at 1100 degrees, far too hot for today's solar cells. they could focus light and heat on the chip, making electricity while heating a steam turbine. >> this would replace at least during the daytime,