NOVELTY - The solar energy capture device comprises a first conductive or semiconducting electrode substrate (301), a semiconductor photovoltaic solar panel comprising a first electrode, a first mat disposed on and in electrical contact with the first electrode substrate, an electrolyte in contact with the first mat, and a second conductive or semiconducting electrode substrate (300). The first mat comprises semiconducting nanostructures (303) oriented in a disordered manner and metal or metal alloy nanoparticles (304) having a distribution of sizes and/or shapes disposed on the nanostructures.    USE - The solar energy capture device is useful for generating photocurrent to drive a load and to charge a storage device in a circuit, and in a solar energy capture system and a photovoltaic device (all claimed).    ADVANTAGE - The solar energy capture device has less-weight, improved performances and increased efficiency, and can be manufactured at low-cost and can absorb a greater fraction of the solar energy spectrum to generate increased current.    DETAILED DESCRIPTION - The solar energy capture device comprises a first conductive or semiconducting electrode substrate (301), a semiconductor photovoltaic solar panel comprising a first electrode, a first mat disposed on and in electrical contact with the first electrode substrate, an electrolyte in contact with the first mat, and a second conductive or semiconducting electrode substrate (300). The first mat comprises semiconducting nanostructures (303) oriented in a disordered manner and metal or metal alloy nanoparticles (304) having a distribution of sizes and/or shapes disposed on the nanostructures, and is in electrical contact with the first and second electrode substrates. The first mat receives and absorbs solar radiation at a non-normal angle of incidence relative to the first electrode substrate to result in charge carrier generation in the semiconducting nanostructures. An absorption spectrum of the first mat is timed by adjusting a width of the distribution of sizes and/or shapes of the nanoparticles and an average size and an average aspect ratio of the nanoparticles. The distribution of size and/or shape of the nanoparticles is multimodal or bimodal, and adjusted to increase absorption over a wavelength of 650-2000 nm. The metal or metal alloy nanoparticles are disposed on an insulating core and covered by a semiconducting shell. One of the core and shell comprises a p-type semiconductor and the other of the core and shell comprises an n-type semiconductor. The shell comprises zinc oxide nanoparticles. The first mat has a depth of 10-500 microns extending outwardly from a surface of the first electrode substrate. Charge is transferred between the nanostructures on the first mat and the electrolyte. The solar panel comprises a thin film amorphous silicon layer disposed on the first electrode and an antireflective coating disposed on the silicon. The first and second electrodes are disposed on a rear side of the device. INDEPENDENT CLAIMS are included for:    (1) a method for generating current; and    (2) a method for making a photovoltaic device.    DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING(S) - The figure shows semiconductor-type solar energy capture device.    Second electrode substrate (300)    First electrode substrate (301)    Semiconductor nanostructures (303)    Metal or metal alloy nanoparticles (304)    Solar cell. (310)