| The search and attempt to harness the infinite power | | | | In 1958 the Vanguard space satellite used a small |
| and energy of the sun has challenged man's ingenuity | | | | array to power its radio. Later in the year, Explorer III , |
| to experiment various ways of tapping into this | | | | Vanguard II and Sputnik-3 were launched with |
| powerful source of power. The history of solar has its | | | | PV-powered systems on board . Silicon solar cells |
| origins back to the 7th century B.C. right up to the 20 | | | | was used successfully to powering satellites and |
| A.D. we have records of the development of solar | | | | remains so until today. |
| technology from the simplest use of glass and mirrors | | | | In the early 1970s Dr Elliot Berman designed a less |
| to make fire by directing the suns rays to the object to | | | | costly solar cell for applications on many offshore gas |
| be burned. | | | | and oil rigs, light houses and railroad crossings and |
| The Greeks and Romans use burning mirrors to light | | | | domestic solar applications was viewed as viable and |
| torches for religious ceremonies. So do the Chinese. It | | | | sensible to be used in remote locations where utilities |
| is said that Archimedes used bronze shields to reflect | | | | could not be available affordably. The Institute of |
| sunlight to set fire to Roman ships besieging Syracuse. | | | | Energy Conversion was established at the University |
| In 1767 Swiss scientist Horace de Saussure was | | | | of Delaware to perform research and development on |
| credited with building the world's first solar collector. | | | | thin film PV and solar thermal systems. |
| In 1839 French scientist Edmund Becquerel discovered | | | | It became the world's first laboratory dedicated to PV |
| the effect of photovoltaic effect. French | | | | research and development. |
| mathematician August Mouchet proposed the idea of | | | | In 1981, the first solar powered aircraft was flown from |
| a solar -powered steam engine, experimented and built | | | | France to England across the English Channel. An |
| the first solar-powered engine for various purposes. | | | | Australian Hans Tholstrup drives the first |
| Following the discovery of the photoconductivity of | | | | solar-powered car almost 2800 miles between |
| selenium by Willoughby Smith in 1873, in 1876 William | | | | Sydney and Perth. |
| Grylls and Richard Evans discover that selenium | | | | Since the first day way back in the 7th century |
| produces electricity when exposed to sunlight. In 1883 | | | | B.C.,when solar rays were redirected by magnifying |
| Charle Fritts described the fist solar cells from selenium | | | | glass to use for burning , up to the present day , |
| wafers. | | | | research and development in the field of solar energy |
| The first commercial solar water heater was patented | | | | has gone a very long way . Homes, cars, aircrafts, |
| by Baltimore inventor, Clarence Kemp. Research | | | | boats and satellites are now traveling with solar |
| continued into the 1900s. Albert Einstein wins the nobel | | | | powered energy. Research in new material, cell |
| price for his theories explaining the photoelectric effect. | | | | designs and novel approaches to solar material and |
| The first solar cell capable of converting enough of the | | | | product development is still continuing. The price of |
| sun's energy into power to run everyday electrical | | | | photovoltaic power will be competitive with traditional |
| equipment was developed at Bell Labs in 1954. Thus | | | | sources of electricity within 10 years and we will soon |
| photovoltaic technology was born in the U.S. Following | | | | be able to see the use of solar energy as a common |
| this success then emerged solar water heating | | | | scenario in everyday life. |
| designs and the world's first solar heated office building. | | | | |