Primitive man was aware that the warmth of the sun could be harnessed and used for power. Some of the earliest methods of solar energy used were for home heating, water desalination and cooking. Mankind has made great advances in this technology, the history of solar panels is interesting to look back on to see where it all started.
Becquerel, a French physicist, discovered the photovoltaic effect in 1839. This is the process through which cells covert sunlight into electricity. The modern version can be traced to William Grylls Adams in 1876 when he discovered selenium generated electric current when it was exposed to light. In 1883 Charles Fritts built the first cell using selenium which is a semiconductor and a thin layer of gold.
Albert Einstein received the Nobel Prize in physics for his work on the photoelectric effect in 1921. Russell Ohl invented the first silicon cell. Gerald Pearson, Darryl Chapin and Calvin Fuller, American researchers, designed a cell that had the capacity of a six percent conversion of energy efficiency with direct sunlight. They arranged silicon strips, placed them in the sunlight and captured free electrons. These were turned into electrical current and they created the first panels.
Bell Laboratories in New York announced their prototype of the solar battery and funded research. The first trial was with a telephone carrier system in 1955. Technology continued to develop under the guidance of the military, cells became a power source for satellites in space.
In the 1970's Dr. Elliot Berman created a cell out of a less expensive material bringing it to a cost that was affordable to use on off shore rigs and lighthouses. The Coast Guard and railways began using it. It was then used for pumping water, powering radios, televisions, and lights. The history of solar panels shows the ingenuity of humanity to bring us to where we are today, we can install them on our homes to power our heating and power our electrical needs. The technology will continue to advance as mankind continues to seek ways to be environmentally conscientious.
Becquerel, a French physicist, discovered the photovoltaic effect in 1839. This is the process through which cells covert sunlight into electricity. The modern version can be traced to William Grylls Adams in 1876 when he discovered selenium generated electric current when it was exposed to light. In 1883 Charles Fritts built the first cell using selenium which is a semiconductor and a thin layer of gold.
Albert Einstein received the Nobel Prize in physics for his work on the photoelectric effect in 1921. Russell Ohl invented the first silicon cell. Gerald Pearson, Darryl Chapin and Calvin Fuller, American researchers, designed a cell that had the capacity of a six percent conversion of energy efficiency with direct sunlight. They arranged silicon strips, placed them in the sunlight and captured free electrons. These were turned into electrical current and they created the first panels.
Bell Laboratories in New York announced their prototype of the solar battery and funded research. The first trial was with a telephone carrier system in 1955. Technology continued to develop under the guidance of the military, cells became a power source for satellites in space.
In the 1970's Dr. Elliot Berman created a cell out of a less expensive material bringing it to a cost that was affordable to use on off shore rigs and lighthouses. The Coast Guard and railways began using it. It was then used for pumping water, powering radios, televisions, and lights. The history of solar panels shows the ingenuity of humanity to bring us to where we are today, we can install them on our homes to power our heating and power our electrical needs. The technology will continue to advance as mankind continues to seek ways to be environmentally conscientious.
Are you looking for a career change? If you answered "yes", then you may be eligible to receive a grant for training. BPI Certification is a highly valued certification in the energy efficiency industry, and you can train to help home owners make their homes more energy efficient. Thomas B. Chuong is currently writing articles related to career development for BPI Certification
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