The development of solar cell technology, or photovoltaic pv technology, began during the industrial revolution when french physicist alexandre edmond becquerellar first demonstrated the photovoltaic effect, or the ability of a solar cell to convert sunlight into electricity, in 1839. Sas developing solar energy landscape explained the. Throughout the 1950s, the efficiency of solar cells kept on increasing, from 8% in 1957 to 14% in 1960. This timeline lists the milestones in the historical development of solar technology from the 7th century b. In chapter 20 we introduce different concepts related to solar thermal energy. Historical values based on irenas renewable energy statistics irena. A more detailed description of the development of the spanish market can be found in. Photovoltaic system pricing trends historical, recent, and nearterm projections, 2014 edition pdf. A business history of solar energy harvard business school. The institute of energy conversion is established at the university of delaware to perform research and development on thinfilm photovoltaic pv and solar thermal systems, becoming the worlds first laboratory dedicated to pv research and development. This solar energy can be converted directly or indirectly into other forms of energy such as heat and electricity. Solar thermal heating is the result of the whole solar. Pdf the history of using solar energy researchgate. The space race created a need for sustainable energy sources.
Future of solar photovoltaic a global energy transformation paper. The development of solar energy on a commercial basis turned out to be a. It forms part of a wider project to reconstruct the history of green entrepreneurship. Alternative methods of solar energy are discussed in part v. Modern day solar ovens are built on the same concept, they use sunlight to prepare meals. In chapter 21, which is the last chapter of the regular text, we discuss solar fuels, which allow to store solar energy on the long term in the form of chemical energy.
A brief history of solar energy solar united neighbors. Solar panels are the optimal surfaces to capture the most light. The history of solar power is a unique and interesting one. Solar energy is radiant light and heat from the sun that is harnessed using a range of. The development of individual solar cells led to the manufacture of panels, which are a collection of solar cells. Commercial concentrated solar power plants were first developed in the 1980s. As the space age developed, solar panels were used to power various parts of spacecraft.
History of solar power ier the institute for energy. History of solar cell development it has now been 175 years since 1839 when alexandre edmond becquerel observes the photovoltaic pv effect via an electrode in a conductive solution exposed to. The history of solar energy is a fascinating story of innovation and progress. Solar power is the conversion of energy from sunlight into electricity, either directly using. Taking the lead from other countries, south africa committed to an energy generation infrastructure development plan for 2010 to 2030, known as the integrated resource plan. The history of solar contains similarities to wind energy, but also considerable. Solar photovoltaic pv modules generate pollutionfree energy by direct conversion of solar energy into electricity.
1594 94 1147 906 472 1026 25 608 26 831 1207 23 755 435 526 402 602 554 1516 1375 1062 25 1286 1453 562 1461 220 967 971 1357 1141 865 1045 1303 178 36 82 1104 342 887 872 866