How Did Solar Power Evolve to What It Is Today?
Solar power, once a futuristic concept, has become a key energy source in today’s world. But when did it all begin?
early Uses of Solar Energy
The idea of harnessing the sun’s power dates back centuries. From lighting fires to heating homes, humans have been finding ways to capture solar energy for millennia. From lighting fires, heating houses, and more recently generating energy to power contemporary homes and businesses. The earliest recorded use of solar energy was in the 7th century B.C., when people used magnifying glasses to start fires. By the 3rd century B.C., the Greeks and Romans were using “burning mirrors” to light torches, and later, ancient civilizations designed “sunrooms” in their homes, capturing sunlight through large windows to provide natural heat. The first solar oven, a device that uses sunlight to heat food or beverages, was designed in 1767.
When Was Solar Power Cell Technology Invented?
The foundation of modern solar technology began with the discovery of the photovoltaic effect in 1839 by French physicist Alexandre Edmond Becquerel. This effect, which allows solar cells to convert sunlight into electricity, laid the groundwork for today’s solar revolution. In 1873, an English electrical engineer named Willoughby Smith discovered the photoconductivity of the element Selenium (atomic number 34 on the periodic table). Professor William Grylls Adams and his student Richard Evans Day demonstrated in 1876 that Selenium could be used to transform solar energy directly into electricity. In 1883, American inventor Charles Fritts created the first photovoltaic cell using Selenium wafers. Also in 1883, one year after Thomas Edison launched the world’s first commercial coal plant, American inventor Charles Fritts created the world’s first rooftop solar array in New York.
When Did Solar Panels Become Commercially Available?
The first solar panels became commercially available in 1956. Although initially limited to niche markets due to production challenges, solar technology has steadily evolved over the decades. With advancements in efficiency and manufacturing, solar panels are now accessible to both businesses and homeowners, playing a key role in today’s renewable energy landscape.
OTHER IMPORTANT SOLAR EVENTS IN HISTORY
Oil shortages in the 1970s: During a period of high inflation, the United States’ reliance on foreign energy resources was highlighted. We needed alternative energy sources because we were running out of necessities. President Jimmy Carter had solar panels placed on the White House roof at the time. This was an act to raise awareness about clean energy and to make a statement about the accessibility of solar energy to the public. President Ronald Reagan later authorized the removal of these panels, which President Barrack Obama later requested be reinstalled along with a solar water heater during his first term.
The first solar residence: “Solar One,” was built at the University of Delaware in 1973. The system, which was intended as a solar PV/thermal hybrid, allowed excess electricity to be delivered into the grid during the day and used at night.
Improvements in conversion efficiency: Between 1957 and 1960, Hoffman electronics were responsible for several innovations in photovoltaic energy, increasing conversion rates from 4% to 14%. The University of South Wales improved this to 20% efficiency in 1985, while the National Renewable Energy Laboratory and SpectroLab Inc. partnered in 1999 to develop a solar cell with a 33.3 percent efficiency rate. By 2016, the University of South Wales has reclaimed the title of the most efficient solar cell, with a 34.5 percent efficiency.
SOLAR POWER IN TODAY’S WORLD
In 1956, the first solar array became commercially available, however, at $300/watt the expense was far beyond the means of civilians. By 1975, the cost had reduced to around $100 per watt, and the price has continued to fall by at least 10% each year since then. The rise in demand, which resulted in over one million solar installations in the United States as of 2016, is due to the cost reduction.
SOLAR POWER AND YOU!
Residential solar technology has come a long way since its early days, evolving from a niche concept into a mainstream energy solution. Advances in efficiency, affordability, and ease of installation have made solar accessible for homeowners across the country. Beyond just reducing energy costs, today’s solar solutions offer improved sustainability and energy independence, allowing families to make a lasting, positive impact on the environment.
Ready to explore how solar could benefit your home? See if solar is right for you!
