What was solar energy used for in the past

When was solar energy first used? When were solar panels invented? Other major events in the history of solar energy Solar panels in outer space — Some of the earliest uses of solar technology were actually in outer space where solar was used to power satellites. In , the Vanguard I satellite used a tiny one-watt panel to power its radios.

In , NASA was responsible for launching the first Nimbus spacecraft, a satellite able to run entirely on a watt solar array. The University of South Wales broke that record again in when researchers reached NASA broke that record in when they reached 96, feet with their non-rocket aircraft. Solar-powered presidencies — In , President Jimmy Carter had solar panels installed on the White House during his term as president.

But this experiment in solar power was tested by the Greek navy in the s. They did set fire to a wooden test ship 50 meters away using nothing but the legendary bronze shield and the solar light energy. In , French physicist Edmond Becquerel discovered the photovoltaic effect while experimenting with a cell made of metal electrodes in a conducting solution. Just three years later, in William Grylls Adams and Richard Evans Day applied the photovoltaic principle discovered by Becquerel to selenium.

They recorded that it could, in fact, generate electricity when exposed to light. In a way, many physicists played a part in solar cell invention. Becquerel is attributed with uncovering the potential of the photovoltaic effect, and Fritz with actually creating the ancestor to all solar cells. In , Einstein published a paper on the photoelectric effect and how light carries energy.

The big leap toward the solar cells like the ones used in panels today came from the work of Bell Labs in Three scientists there, Daryl Chapin, Calvin Fuller, and Gerald Pearson, created a more practical solar cell using silicon. Advantages to silicon are better efficiency and its wide availability as a natural resource. As the space age developed, solar panels were used to power various parts of spacecraft throughout the late s and s. In , NASA launched the Nimbus satellite, which ran entirely on its watt photovoltaic solar panel array.

In the s, an oil shortage brought awareness of U. It was a time of high inflation when Americans were squeezed economically, and shortages in essentials made the need for further innovation glaringly evident. It was during this time that president Jimmy Carter had solar panels installed onto the White House roof. This was a statement to make clean energy through solar more tangible for people, and to spread awareness. Even with more people interested in solar over recent decades, cost and efficiency have slowly been improving.

Humans have been tinkering with solar energy since the dawn of time. They even used glass and mirrors to light fires. One of the first uses of a solar panel was on the Vanguard I space satellite launched in Since then, innovative uses of solar have been invented to not only generate energy for homes and buildings, but move people in solar cars, boats, and even airplanes. Innovation in solar technology continues to improve efficiency, size and cost, making it more pervasive throughout society.

In , the University of South Wales produced 20 percent efficiency levels in silicon cells. Solar-Powered Aircraft. In , "Pathfinder," a remote-controlled solar aircraft, broke altitude records by reaching 80, feet. A NASA non-rocket aircraft later surpassed that record in , reaching 96, feet. In , Bertrand Piccard piloted "Solar Impulse 2," the most powerful solar plane, around the world in the initial zero-emissions flight.

Solar panels are extremely practical and cost-effective for ongoing production of electric power. They are relatively simple to install and require very low degrees of maintenance. These panels are constructed without any modules or moving parts, which increases their dependability for long-term use. Solar panels produce electric current without any need for use of the earth's valuable natural resources.

Modern solar panels can produce electricity with no resulting pollution or waste. They can be conveniently installed wherever they are needed to generate electric power.

This eliminates the necessity of distributing electric current for long distance use in remote locations of the country or globe. Also, power production using solar photovoltaic methods can be accomplished on any scale without the constant need for large, costly facilities.

And solar panels are very sleek these days making them barely noticeable on your house. We think you will agree that the history of solar energy and its stages of development have been lengthy, complex and quite fascinating.

The use of solar panels for providing power to homes, schools, public buildings and commercial offices and facilities of all types is now widespread globally.

However, this has occurred only after many years of concentrated research, discoveries and experimentation by scientists and inventors.