To half the cost of solar power

Silicon is quite expensive material . This is huge factor to increase the cost of solar power projects. But by concentrating solar radiation on to minimum area we can reduce the consumption of silicon.

There is new innovation called "heliotube" to concentrate the sun rays onto very strip of silicon solar panels at the base of the tube.
By using this innovative concept manufactures can use 88 % less silicon material to produce solar panels.

more info:
http://www.ecogeek.org/content/view/680/