The Evolution of First Solar Technology
Conventional power systems are becoming costly day by day & people are taking interest in knowing more about solar energy that is always available, is less costly & does not pollute the environment. Many people all over the world are using solar energy but rarely people know about the first solar energy or how the first solar energy came in to being or who created the first solar panel that could convert sunlight to electricity that could meet home power requirements. Let’s have an understanding about all these aspects.
The use of first solar energy could be regarded as the architecture of Egyptian homes. Their use was little different. They did not make use of solar energy to heat homes. Egyptians needed solar energy to keep heat out of their homes. Basically, these homes were made up of thick clay bricks. These bricks were insulated against heat. Windows of the houses were long & narrow & were built at top of the wall so that the heat could escape out of it. First solar energy employed was of passive type. May be ancient Greeks understood the benefits of solar energy better than the people of present generation. Their buildings were built in such a way that they could always enjoy the benefit of sun’s energy to provide heat & light inside their homes.
In 1861, Auguste Mouchout invented the first solar motor. He invented a steam engine that was powered by solar energy. He believed that coal being used in increased quantity, will be completely used up one day. First solar collectors could boil ammonia. This worked for refrigeration. John Ericsson, a Swedish invented parabolic trough collector that is still used today. In 1921 Albert Einstein won Nobel Peace prize for his research work on generating electricity with the help of solar cells. The first solar cells also called as photovoltaic cells got boosted up from space race of 50’s & 60’s. Solar panels were used in rockets & satellites for generation of electricity. The credit for the invention of first solar cells is normally given to a French physicist, Alexandre-Edmund Becquerel. However, Russell Ohl, Charles Fritts & scientists at bell laboratories should also be given equal credit. Becquerel noticed photovoltaic effect in the year 1839. Yet, first solar cell was not developed for next 44 years. Though Charles Fritts did try to develop such a device & it also converted sunlight to electricity but it had an efficiency rate of just 1%. Considering the high expense in creating such a device & the device not being cost-effective or practical in generating electricity, the device was not put to use & did not get much recognition though he was given credit for such an invention. Many other scientists also started working on solar energy & its applications. One such invention was brought by Clarence Kemp, who patented first solar commercial water heater.
Russell Ohl, a noted researcher, discovered PN junction, which clearly showed how impurities in crystals could impact the electricity flow. From this work of his, he was able to find out that the key to the making of semiconductor material that could be reused for diodes was super-purifying germanium. His work on diodes made him develop the first solar cell made of silicon in the year 1946. It was an accident & happened when he was working at the Bell laboratories on his semiconductors. Silicon when infused with certain impurities became sensitive to light. Ohl’s invention was considered as advanced & led to production of modern solar cells. Ohl continued his research work & his work was funded by bell laboratories & finally in the year 1954 the first solar panel made up of crystalline silicon was created. Many other scientists & companies continued their research work & their discoveries. In a larger scale the use & deployment of solar panels happened in space satellites. These first solar cells had an efficiency rate of around 6%. A lot of interest in geostationary communication satellite was generated as the photovoltaic cells catered to renewable energy source that was viable. Government support was also provided in terms of funding for the development & improvement of solar panels so that use of solar panels could be increased in spy & communication satellites.
If we look back today to evolution of first solar panel or first solar cell then we can see a huge advancement in solar technology today. Today, you can find more than 200 solar panels manufacturers. In recent years, the production of solar panels has become cheaper. Solar panels are slowly coming to forefront when we talk about alternative energy sources. Considering the numerous applications of solar devices & its high efficiency rate & more technology advancements happening, these devices are quite promising & its usage will increase in the coming times.