Melbourne, May 26 : Sony Corp has announced the development of dye-sensitised solar cells that have an energy conversion efficiency of 10 per cent - a level considered to be necessary for commercial use.

A spokesman for the Japanese conglomerate revealed that their dye-sensitised solar cells use photosensitive dye, and do not require costly and large-scale production equipment.

He, however, admitted that Sony’s dye-sensitized solar cell operations are still in the research and development stage, and that no decision had been take on its commercialisation as yet.

According to the Daily Telegraph, Sony’s new solar cells are being seen as a next-generation solar cell variety as well as a potential threat to silicon-based solar cells.

The newspaper report also says that owing to higher oil prices and strong demand for renewable energy, global sales of solar cells are growing briskly.

Japan's Sharp Corp, one of the leading manufacturers of silicon-based solar cells, expects its sales to rise 19 per cent in the current business year to 1.81 billion Australian dollars. (ANI)