Solar3D has completed the design for its new solar cell and is on track to complete a working prototype by the end of 2011.

The solar cell technology utilises a 3D design to trap sunlight inside micro-photovoltaic structures where photons are converted into electrons.

Solar3D CEO Nelson said the manufacturing-oriented engineers in the company are creating a product that is not only much more efficient but relatively inexpensive to produce in mass quantities.

The company said the solar cell’s efficiency will be much higher than the currently available solar technology.