When Was Solar Panels Invented: The History Unveiled

Solar panels have a surprising history, going back over 2,000 years. Though the solar industry as we know it is quite new, the idea of solar power has been around for centuries. It started with the ancient Greek “death ray” and progressed to today’s photovoltaic technology. The journey of solar power shows how human creativity and a commitment to green energy have shaped the modern world.

Solar panels work by changing sunlight into electricity through PV cells. French physicist Edmond Becquerel noticed light could make some materials make electric charges in 1839. American Charles Fritts made the first inefficient solar panel in 1881. Then, in 1954, Bell Labs’ scientists created a useful silicon solar cell.

The Greek “death ray” was an ancient attempt at using sunlight as a weapon. Later, in 1767, Horace de Saussure built the first solar collector. It was used to cook food by Sir John Herschel. In the 7th century B.C., magnifying glasses were used to light fires. This was the first use of solar power.

Key Takeaways

• The first use of solar power dates back to the 7th century BC, when humans used magnifying glasses to concentrate the sun’s rays to start fires.
• The Greek “death ray” using concentrated sunlight to set fire to enemy ships was an early experiment in harnessing solar power.
• In 1767, Horace de Saussure created the first known solar collector, which was used as a solar cooker.
• The photovoltaic effect, the foundation of solar cells, was discovered by French scientist Edmond Becquerel in 1839.
• The first commercial solar panel was created by American inventor Charles Fritts in 1881, but it was very inefficient.

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Harnessing the Sun’s Energy: Early Experiments

Solar power’s story begins centuries ago, with people trying to use the sun’s energy. As early as the 7th century BC, humans used magnifying glasses to focus sunlight. This allowed them to start fires. These are some of the first uses of solar energy.

The Greek “Death Ray”: Archimedes’ Legendary Mirror

Ancient Greeks and Romans made more progress by using mirrors to concentrate sunlight. They used this focused light to light torches during ceremonies. A famous story is about Archimedes, a Greek mathematician. It tells how he defended Syracuse by setting enemy ships on fire with mirrors. The truth of this story is uncertain, but it shows early attempts at using solar energy.

Horace de Saussure’s Solar Collector: The First Solar Cooker

In 1767, a Swiss physicist named Horace de Saussure built the first solar collector. It was a device to capture the sun’s heat for cooking and heating. His collector was made of multiple glass boxes stacked together. When sunlight hit the innermost box, it could reach temperatures over 100 degrees Celsius. This showed that solar power can be used for practical purposes.

The Photovoltaic Effect: The Foundation of Solar Cells

In 1839, Edmond Becquerel, a French physicist, discovered the photovoltaic effect. He found this out while working in his father’s lab. Becquerel noticed that light made a certain setup create more electricity. This is called the photovoltaic effect.

Edmond Becquerel’s Groundbreaking Discovery

Edmond Becquerel’s finding was very important. It laid the start for solar cell technology and renewable energy advances. He showed that some materials turn light into electricity without needing heat. This was a key idea for later work in solar technology and creating sustainable power milestones.

The Contributions of Willoughby Smith and William Grylls Adams

Later, in the 1870s, Willoughby Smith found that selenium reacts to light. Then, in 1876, William Grylls Adams and Richard Evans Day proved Smith’s idea. They showed selenium really could make electricity from light. This work set the stage for more green technology innovations in solar power.

Charles Fritts and the First Solar Array

In 1883, Charles Fritts, an American inventor, made the first solar panel. He described it as powerful both under direct sunlight and in soft light. However, it was quite inefficient, working at less than 1% efficiency. Also, it was too expensive to be used widely because it used selenium which was costly.

Even though Fritts’ panel had limits, it marked the start of solar technology. This led to what we use today and to those people aiming for sustainable power milestones and green technology innovations.

When Was Solar Panels Invented: The Bell Labs Breakthrough

In 1954, a team at Bell Labs made a huge step in solar panel history. Daryl Chapin, Calvin Fuller, and Gerald Pearson led the way. They created the first efficient silicon solar cell. This started the era of using solar panels for power, especially in space missions.

Daryl Chapin, Calvin Fuller, and Gerald Pearson’s Silicon Solar Cell

Their work focused on using silicon for solar power. The silicon cell could turn 6% of sunlight into electrical power. They showed it by making a toy Ferris wheel and a radio work. This proved silicon solar technology was effective and eco-friendly.

Early Applications: Powering Spacecraft and Satellites

In 1958, the Vanguard I satellite used these solar cells, marking the start in space. By 1959, with the Explorer 6, satellites had large solar panel wings. This became the go-to for space energy by the 1960s. It was a major turning point for renewable and sustainable power.

Advancing Solar Technology: The Race for Efficiency

In the 1970s and 1980s, solar energy research grew quickly. Governments and companies worldwide put a lot of money into figuring out solar cells. This time was very important because it helped solar energy become popular and widely used.

Exxon’s Affordable Solar Cell

In 1970, Exxon Mobil changed the solar game. They financed work on a cheaper solar cell. This cell was 80% less expensive, making solar technology advancements and renewable energy innovations available to more people.

Increasing Efficiency and Reducing Costs

As time went on, solar technology got better. The cost of solar panels went from about ₹20,000 per watt to as little as ₹33 per watt today. At the same time, solar panels became more efficient, going from 1% to 15-18%, even hitting over 20% efficiency in some cases. These upgrades helped make solar power a smart choice for many, marking a big step in cost reduction in solar and efficiency.

The Solar Revolution: Global Adoption and Growth

The world is facing climate change, and our fossil fuels are running low. As a result, we’re putting more effort into solar energy. Countries like the US, Europe, and Australia are helping a lot. They offer incentives and have set up policies to boost the solar industry.

Government Incentives and Renewable Energy Policies

Solar rebates, tax credits, and net metering have made solar energy easier to get for both homes and businesses. In India, for example, their plan is to have 100 GW of solar power by 2022. They are focusing on both small and big solar projects.

These moves have really sped up how quickly people are turning to solar power.

Residential, Commercial, and Industrial Solar Applications

You can see solar panels everywhere these days, not just on homes but also in big factories and solar farms. Solar technology costs have dropped, and with government help, more people can use solar power. Fenice Energy, with over 20 years’ experience, is here to help with solar, backups, and electric car charging, supporting the solar revolution.

Right now, only about 4% of all electricity comes from solar power. But, the solar industry is growing fast. Experts think we could have over 1 terawatt of solar power very soon. This growth shows that solar energy is set to shine even brighter in the future.