Green Tech news harvest: More-efficient solar cells and 'biogasoline'

A sampling of green-tech news thus far this week, touching on solar cells, carbon markets, biofuels, and electric cars.

• NREL: Record Makes Thin-Film Solar Cell Competitive with Silicon Efficiency
  Thin-film cells made from CIGS hit over 19 percent efficiency in NREL labs, rivaling traditional silicon.
• Shell, Virent form joint venture to convert crops to biogasoline | Chron.com/Houston Chronicle
  Forget ethanol. Here come hydrocarbons from plants. Shell and Virent to make 'biogasoline.'
• Technology Review: More-Powerful Solar Cells
  MIT spin-off 1366 Technologies (see Green Tech blog coverage) shoots for more efficient solar cells through manufacturing innovations.
• Pay for the Power, Not the Panels | The New York Times
  What's a PPA (power purchase agreement)? The New York Times explains how new forms of financing plays a critical role in getting solar adopted.
• JPMorgan acquires carbon offset firm ClimateCare | Reuters
  Carbon market consolidation. JPMorgan expands its environmental strategies by buying carbon offset company Climate Care.
• DONG Energy and California-based Project Better Place to introduce environmentally friendly electric vehicles in Denmark | Project Better Place
  Project Better Place has signed a letter of intent with Denmark to install a network of battery stations for electric cars, following a similar pledge from Israel.
• GreenFuel Nearly Finished with Phase One for First Commercial Factory | Greentech Media
  Possibly the first commercial-scale algae fuel plant.