With the existing increase in energy costs many have been looking to alternative energy sources. One of the finest sources of energy ( our sun ) is generally available to take. We just need to be in a position to harness it’s power. For those interested, below is a short recap of how solar energy came to be. The history of photovoltaic energy ( aka. Solar power cells ) started back in 1876.
An electricity expert, Werner von Siemens, said that the discovery was ‘scientifically of the most far reaching importance’. The selenium cells weren’t efficient, though it was showed that light, without heat or moving parts, might be changed into electricity. In 1953, Calvin Fuller, Gerald Pearson, and Daryl Chapin, discovered the silicon solar cell.
The NY Times claimed this discovery was ‘the start of a new time, leading at last to the realization of using the just about inexhaustible energy of the sun for the usages of civilization. ‘ The year is 1956, and the initial photovoltaic power cells are available commercially. The price tag however is a ways from the reach of everyday people. At $300 for an one watt solar power cell, the price tag was miles beyond anyone’s means. 1956 started showing us the first photovoltaic cells made use of in toys and radios. These novelty items were the first item to have photovoltaic cells available to consumers.
In the early 1970′s a strategy to lower to value of photovoltaic power cells was found. This brought the price down from $100 per watt to about $20 per watt. This research was fronted by Exxon. Most off-shore oil rigs exploited the photovoltaic power cells to power the fading lights on top of the rigs. They started showing up on railroad crossings, in remote places to power homes, Australia used solar power cells in their microwave towers to grow their telecommunication capacities. You’ll see solar powered vehicles. With the cost of photovoltaic power cells well inside everyone’s budget, solar energy hasn’t looked so appealing. Recently advanced technology has given us screen published solar cells, and a solar fabric that can be utilised to side a home, even solar shingles that install on our roofs.
World markets have opened up and solar power cell makers are now playing a big part in the solar electricity industry.
Read more about how does solar energy work and solar panel uk on my blog.
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