Sixtron has recently developed a thin coating for solar cells  called Silexium.  This anti-reflective coating could make solar panels much more affordable.

The manufacture of solar cells now requires the use of saline gas to make anti-reflective coating, that is extremely dangerous as well as expensive.  Silexium does not require silane to be present and could reduce the complexity and money required to make solar cells.  This new coating would also provide more protection over the cells allow for possibly longer life and more power generated.

Sounds like a promising product that could help expand the usage of solar panels.

Source: Pays to Live Green