Energy from the sun is free. But producing the solar cells that can convert that sunlight into electricity is certainly not, and that’s one reason why solar power is so expensive.  Now however, some researchers in Italy are working on a new solar cell that mimics the way plants conduct photosynthesis.  Instead of using expensive silicon-based semiconductors, the new cells use nanotechnology with different substances absorbing the light and then transporting its electrons.   With the overall cost of solar power now about ten times higher than that of generating electricity from the burning of fossil fuels, this is one solar technology that would surely get a bright reception from an energy hungry world.