Solar energy has been used since ancient times, but the first recorded use of solar energy for practical purposes was in 1767, when Swiss scientist Horace de Saussure built the first solar collector. Solar energy was first used for commercial purposes in 1876, when William Grylls Adams and Richard Evans Day discovered that selenium could be used to produce electricity. However, it was not until the early 20th century that solar energy began to be used on a large scale.
The first commercial solar power plant was built in 1954 in the Soviet Union, and the first large-scale solar power plant was built in California in 1984.
The first solar energy collector was built in 1767 by Swiss scientist Horace-Benedict de Saussure. However, it wasn’t until 1839 that French physicist Alexandre Edmond Becquerel discovered the photovoltaic effect, which is the basic principle behind solar energy conversion. In 1876, William Grylls Adams and Richard Evans Day discovered that selenium produces electricity when exposed to light.
This led to the development of the first solar cell in 1883 by Charles Fritts.
History of solar panels timeline
Solar power is one of the most popular forms of renewable energy, and for good reason. Solar panels have been used for centuries to harness the power of the sun and convert it into usable energy.
The first recorded use of solar panels was in 1767, when Swiss scientist Horace de Saussure built the first solar thermal collector.
This device was used to heat water, and it paved the way for future solar panel development.
In 1839, French physicist Alexandre Edmond Becquerel discovered the photovoltaic effect, which is the principle behind solar panel operation. Becquerel’s discovery paved the way for the development of the first solar cell in 1883.
In 1891, American inventor Charles Fritts built the first working solar cell. Fritts’ cell was made of selenium and coated with a thin layer of gold.
The first large-scale solar power installation was completed in 1916 by American engineer Frank Shuman.
Shuman’s installation was used to power a water pump, and it was capable of producing around 9 kW of power.
In the 1950s, the space race between the United States and the Soviet Union spurred further development of solar cell technology. Solar cells were used to power space satellites and were also developed for use in terrestrial applications.
In the 1970s, the oil crisis led to an increase in interest in solar power as an alternative to traditional energy sources.
Credit: solenergy.com.ph
-When was solar energy invented
Solar energy has been around since the beginning of time. The sun is a natural source of energy that can be harnessed to power homes and businesses. Solar energy was first used to power homes in the early 1900s.
Solar panels were used to heat water, which was then used to power a steam engine. This system was used to generate electricity. Solar panels were also used to power calculators and other small electronic devices.
In the 1970s, solar energy began to be used to power larger electronic devices, such as computers and satellites. Solar energy is now being used to generate electricity on a large scale. Solar power plants have been built in many parts of the world, including the United States, China, and India.
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Conclusion
In 1839, French physicist Alexandre-Edmond Becquerel discovered the photovoltaic effect while experimenting with a solid electrode in an electrolyte solution. He found that when light shone on the electrode, it produced an electric current. However, it wasn’t until 1883 that the first solar cell was built.
American inventor Charles Fritts coated selenium with an extremely thin layer of gold to create the first solar cell.