Here are some articles that might be helpful:
Solar Panels could get five times more efficient soon
... by tapping into infra-red, a wavelength that was not previously converted to electricity by solar panels. Solar energy ... 30% of the solar energy. Today's solar cells convert about 6 ...
http://av.rds.yahoo.com/_ylt=A9ibyK5...panels_co.html
Excerpt:
....photosensitiser chemical is essential. The substance should capture the infra-red light to use it for electricity production and it should let the visible light enter the building for normal lighting purposes.
http://www.ecomall.com/greenshopping/solarwin.htm