Solar Energy

History of Solar Energy (continued)

1916 – Robert Millikan logs experimental proof of the photoelectric effect.

1918 – Polish scientist Jan Czochralski discovers how to grow single-crystal silicon.

1921 – Albert Einstein wins the Nobel prize for this theories explaining the photoelectric effect.

1932 – The photovoltaic effect in cadmium sulfide is discovered.

1947 – Solar buildings are in demand as energy becomes scarce during World War II.

1954 – US scientists Daryl Chapin, Calvin Fuller and Gerald Pearson develop the first silicon photovoltaic cell—the first solar cell capable of generating enough power from the sun to run everyday electrical equipment.

Mid-1950s – Architect Frank Bridgers designs the world’s first commercial office building, complete with solar water heating.

1958 – New PV cells that are more resistant to radiation are developed; this feature will be important for solar cells used in space.

1963 – Japan installs a 242-watt PV array on a lighthouse.

1964 – NASA launches the first Nimbus spacecraft, a satellite powered by a 470-watt photovoltaic array.

1969 – A “solar furnace” using an eight-stories-tall parabolic mirror is built in Odeillo, France.

1970s – Dr. Elliot Berman and the Exxon Corp. design a less expensive solar cell. As a result, solar cells enjoy wider use.

1972 – The University of Delaware establishes the Institute of Energy Conversion, the world’s first lab dedicated to PV research and development. The following year, the university builds “Solar One,” a PV-thermal hybrid system.

1976 – The NASA Lewis Research Center starts installing the first of 83 PV power systems around the world, providing power for medical clinic lighting, water pumping, classroom television and more.

1977 – The US government launches the Solar Energy Research Institute.

1981 – Paul MacCready builds the first solar-powered aircraft, which he flies from France to England.

1982 – Australian Hans Tholstrup drives the first solar-powered car almost 2,800 miles between Sydney and Pert in 20 days.

1986 – The world’s largest (at the time) solar thermal power plant is commissioned in California.

1994 – The first solar dish generator to use a free-piston Stirling engine is hooked up to a utility grid.

1998 – Subhendu Guha leads the development of flexible solar shingles, which can be used for converting sunlight to electricity in buildings.

2001 – British Petroleum and BP Solar open a service station in the US with a solar-electric canopy that contains PV modules made of thin silicon films.

2002 – PowerLight Corp. in California installs the largest rooftop solar power system in the US.

2008 – The world’s largest thin-film PV power system, Waldpolenz Solar Park, goes online in Germany.

Source: US Department of Energy