Solar cells are a relatively new technology that uses solar energy in the form of heat and light. This method of energy production is still considered new and not cost-effective because even the most efficient solar panels available on the market can only reach 21.5% efficiency [1]. The introduction of carbon nanotube (CNT) technology begins to change the figure by 21.5% and revolutionize the entire industry. What is a CNT? CNT is created from layers of graphene sheets rolled into a cylinder. At a certain chirality configuration, the carbon nanotube can function as a semiconductor. Since the length of the carbon nanotube is 22 nm compared to the size of the 1 to 100 mm silicon wafer (approximately at least 45,000 times smaller), a 10 m2 CNT solar panel can contain more power producing units than a current panel available in the industry. Since the sun's light energy is generally measured in units of energy per unit area, CNT solar cells can increase the ability to absorb light from the sun's rays. How does a CNT solar cell convert solar energy? CNT solar cells work similarly to the conventional solar cell. Figure [1] below describes the working theories behind a semiconductor photovoltaic device. When the photon from a solar ray reaches the semiconductor CNT, depending on the energy level of the photon determined by its wavelength, an electron of the corresponding energy level can absorb that photon and become energized. With the excess energy, the electron can bypass the depletion region (similar to a barrier) to cross into the other dimension of the semiconductor leaving behind an empty energy state (hole). Theoretically, the efficiency of this generation of electron-hole pairs is extremely high [7]. Therefore, most of the energy absorbed in this piece of paper of nanotube technology can only become a reality when it is readily produced and manufactured by a commercially available method. Therefore, until then, these are only theoretical tests in a laboratory environment. Works Cited[1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carbon_nanotubes_in_photovoltaicsAccessed: 13 April 2014[2] http://scitation.aip.org/ content/aip/journal/apl/93/24/10.1063/1.3050465 Accessed: 13 April 2014[3] http://www.slashgear.com/mit-improves-solar-panel-performance-using-hot-carbon-nanotubes-21313896/Accessed: 14 April 2014[4] http:// www.news .wisc.edu/21890Accessed: 15 April 2014[5] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carbon_nanotubeAccessed: 15 April 2014[6] http://time.com/65086/how-to- generate-solar-power-where-the-sun-dont-shine /Accessed: 15 April 2014[7] http://www.eecs.umich.edu/zhonglab/pub/Science_325_2009.pdfAccessed: April 29, 2014