With the recent rise in energy costs numerous people have been seeking to substitute sources of energy. One of the greatest energy sources (our sun) is readily accessible for the taking. We just require to be able to harness its power. For those interested, below is a brief history of how solar power came to be.
The history of photovoltaic energy (aka. solar cells) started way back in 1876. William Grylls Adams along with a student of his, Richard Day, identified that when selenium was revealed to light, it generated electricity. An electricity expert, Werner von Siemens, stated that the discovery was "scientifically of the most far-reaching importance". The selenium cells weren't efficient, but it was proved that light, without heat or moving parts, can be converted into electricity.
In 1953, Calvin Fuller, Gerald Pearson, and Daryl Chapin, identified the silicon solar cell. This cell actually generated enough electricity and was practical enough to run small electrical devices. The New York Times stated that this discovery was "the beginning of a new era, principal eventually to the realization of harnessing the almost limitless energy of the sun for the uses of civilization."
The year is 1956, and the first solar cells are accessible commercially. The cost however is far from the reach of everyday people. At $300 for a 1 watt solar cell, the expense was far beyond anyone's signifies. 1956 started showing us the first solar cells used in toys and radios. These novelty items were the first item to have solar cells accessible to purchasers.
.In the late 1950's and early 1960's satellites in the USA's and Soviet's space program were powered by solar cells and in the late 1960's solar power was essentially the standard for powering space bound satellites.
In the early 1970's an alternative to lower to cost of solar cells was identified. This brought the price down from $100 per watt to around $20 per watt. This analysis was spearheaded by Exxon. Most off-shore oil rigs used the solar cells to power the waning lights on the most recognized of the rigs.
The period from the 1970's to the 1990's saw quite a modification in the utilization of solar cells. They began showing up on railroad crossings, in remote places to power homes, Australia used solar cells in their microwave towers to boost their telecommunication skills. Even desert regions saw solar power bring water to the soil where line fed power wasn't an option!
Today we see solar cells in a wide diversity of places. You may see solar powered motorcars. There is even a solar powered aircraft that has flown higher than any other aircraft with the exception of the Blackbird. With the cost of solar cells well within everyone's budget, solar power has never looked so tempting.
Recently new technology has given us screen printed solar cells, and a solar fabric that could be used to side a house, even solar shingles that install on our roofs. global markets have opened up and solar panel manufacturers are now playing a key role in the solar power industry.
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