A few billion years ago, cyanobacteria, sporting the first chlorophyll molecules, performed an amazing feat; they captured the energy in sunlight and stored it in the chemical bonds of newly forged molecules.
Nature’s had a long time to refine and customize this energy-conversion act, and we humans marvel at its efficiency. If we could use the sun’s rays as effectively, we could address many of the world’s energy concerns. But right now, even our most impressive commercial solar panels capture less than 25% of sunlight’s energy.