The world is transforming, and our dependence on non-renewable energy resources is ending. In this context, solar energy has grown from a niche technology to a dominant force in the energy market. But how did we get to this point? What was the evolution of solar energy technology made it one of the top renewable energy sources today? This blog will provide you with a solar energy timeline from its inception to its current popularity.
1848 – Alexander Becquerel, a French scientist, discovered the photovoltaic effect and found that certain materials produce a small electrical current when exposed to light.
1883 – American inventor Charles Fritts created the first solar cell by coating selenium with a thin layer of gold.
1891 – Clarence Kemp was granted the first solar water heater patent.
1954 – Daryl Chapin, Calvin Fuller, and Gerald Pearson invented the first practical silicon solar cell at Bell Labs.
1958 – The first American satellite, Vanguard 1, used a small solar panel to power its radios.
1973 – The University of Delaware built the first building with solar panels on the roof. This spurred the growth of solar energy incentives in many countries.
1983 – The first-megawatt solar power plant was completed in California.
1991 – The United States Department of Energy (DOE) installed solar panels on the White House roof.
2004 – The cost of solar panels decreased significantly, making it accessible for residential use.
2013 – There was a significant boom in the solar industry, with more than one million solar installations in the US.
