Solar Energy History
Solar energy history displays a magnificent picture showcasing how men strive to make use of the most abundant source of energy in the universe, the sun. It is probably the oldest form of energy source known to man. Ever since ancient times the sun was already the major source of light and heat.
During the ancient times North and South American natives so as the Babylonians, ancient Hindus, Persians and Egyptians consider the sun as a religious icon that they worship it everyday. In 400 BC, the Greeks went beyond the religious concepts and created a passive solar design for their buildings. Romans integrate it later on by being the first to use glass windows to purposely trap solar warmth. They even created glass houses to grow plants with the use of right amount of heat from the sun.
In 1838, a French physicist named Edmund Becquerel created a study and publishes his findings about the nature of materials to turn light into energy. The study was acknowledged but was not pursued.
Between the 1860’s and 1880’s, another Frenchman by the name of Auguste Mouchout made another breakthrough by being the first person to patent a design for a motor powered by solar energy. He invented a device that converts solar energy to mechanical steam to operate a steam engine. Later on he connected the steam engine to a refrigeration device forming a machine that makes use of sun’s power to make ice. A medal was given to him for this achievement.
In 1873 Willoughby Smith accidentally discovered the light sensitivity of selenium solar cells while testing a material for underwater telegraph cables. Three years later, William Adams wrote the first book about Solar Energy entitled: A Substitute for Fuel in Tropical Countries. Adams’ work is still very popular today, a concept known as Power Tower.
The first Solar Energy Company was established by Aubrey Eneas and was called The Solar Motor Co. The first solar energy system was sold at a price of $2,160 to Dr. A.J. Chandler but unluckily it was destroyed after a week by a windstorm.
On 1954, Bell Laboratories researchers accidentally discovered the use of silicon as a semi-conductor, which led to the fabrication of the first solar panel with an efficiency rate of 6%. Two years after, the first commercial solar cell was introduced to the public at a price of $300 per watt.
From 1950’s to 1960’s Space researches adapted the use of solar energy. Vanguard I was the first satellite to use solar energy to generate electricity. The 70’s Energy crisis scared the world after the OPEC oil embargo. Countries all over the world were forced to find an alternative source of energy to sustain their economy. The price of solar cells dramatically dropped to $20 per watt.
During the 80’s and 90’s Solar Energy still struggled to compete with non-renewable source of energy such as fossil fuel. Luz Co., a company based on Los Angeles was force to shut down their doors after most of their investors withdrew support on their projects. Luz Co. that time produced 95% of the world’s solar-based electricity. Before its closure the chairman of the board said,” The failure of the world’s largest solar electric company was not due to technological or business judgment failures but rather to failures of government regulatory bodies to recognize the economic and environmental benefits of solar thermal generating plants.”
Today, man has a renewed stand towards the concept of using solar energy. Many are already encouraged to use the energy from the sun because of its advantages, and its price has become more and more affordable. Governments and environmental advocate group’s offers financial assistance to those who are willing to adapt the usage of solar energy. Solar energy has now started to power a countless number of homes, buildings, and vehicles.
As utility prices rise, and we learn more and more about our effect on the environment, solar energy makes more and more sense. It is the only way to easily and cleanly power the world in the 21st century.
