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The History of the Solar Panel

The potential of solar power — converting sunlight into electricity — is boundless. The ability to harness solar energy has piqued the interest of scientists throughout history. The following timeline highlights some milestone events involving human effort to capture sunlight for industrial and residential uses, including the installation of solar panels in your home.

The First Sunlit FiresThe First Sunlit Fires

The history of solar energy began nearly 3,000 years ago when humans learned to create fire by using glass to concentrate sunlight onto various materials in the environment. Historians credit the Greek scientist Archimedes with using the sun’s power to destroy enemy ships with “heat rays” — fires created by using mirrors to concentrate sunlight. This occurred around 200 BC.

The First Solar OvenThe First Solar Oven

Horace de Saussure, a Swiss physicist, created the first solar oven in the mid-1700s. It used sunlight to heat foods and beverages. Today’s models are inexpensive meal preparation solutions in places where electricity is limited. They are popular in residential and remote regions.

The Photovoltaic Effect

In 1839, the French physicist Edmund Becquerel found that light could create voltage. Four decades later, the English engineer Willoughby Smith discovered photoconductivity in selenium. This laid the foundation for solar energy.

Building on these discoveries, English professor William Grylls Adams — along with his protégé, William Evans Day — observed the first electrical current created from light, using electrodes and selenium plates. In 1883, the American inventor Charles Fritts discovered a way to make photovoltaic cells using selenium wafers.

The Photoelectric Effect

Original wood engraving from L'?lectricit? by J. Baille, Paris - Hachette 1868. One of the first microscope based on the photoelectric effect, phenomenon in which electrons are emitted from matter after energy absorption from electromagnetic radiation
Original wood engraving from L’?lectricit? by J. Baille, Paris – Hachette 1868. One of the first microscope based on the photoelectric effect, phenomenon in which electrons are emitted from matter after energy absorption from electromagnetic radiation.

Albert Einstein, the German-born physicist, formulated the photon theory of light in 1905. His paper discussed how photons (light) could “liberate” electrons on a metal surface. Sixteen years later, he made history when he received a Nobel Prize for his breakthrough.

In the mid-1950s, a group of Americans working for AT&T Bell Laboratories — Daryl Chapin, Calvin Fuller, and Gerald Pearson — created the world’s first photovoltaic cell. In other words, they created a device that converted sunlight into electrical power.

The Use of Solar Panels

Today, the potential for using sunlight to supply the world’s power needs is huge for both commercial and residential uses. Many homeowners install solar panels as an efficient way to generate electricity without depending on natural resources or harming the environment.

These panels are easy to install in commercial and residential buildings, including your single-family home. Because they have no moving parts, they’re more reliable than other energy generators. They’re also easier to maintain and have a longer life span.

Many homeowners install rooftop systems. The benefits range from lower energy bills and extensive warranties to generous tax credits that make installation more affordable. By using online review sites, you can find companies with high reputations for quality, competitive prices, a range of manufacturers and a genuine commitment to the environment.

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Are you considering a photovoltaic system for your home? Would you like to learn how solar energy can save your budget and the environment? Best-Solar-Companies.com is a top online review source for the world’s best solar companies.

Whether you want a product review or general energy information, Best-Solar-Companies.com provides credible information to help you make the right investment. From commercial to residential solutions, it’s just what you’re looking for, so visit the site today and learn how sunlight can power your home.

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