The document provides a history of solar energy from its discovery in 1839 to recent advancements. It notes key developments including the discovery of the photovoltaic effect and photoconductivity of materials like selenium, the creation of the first solar cell in 1883, improvements in silicon solar cells from the 1950s onward that enabled commercial use, and more recent reductions in costs and innovations like flexible printed panels.
The document provides a history of solar energy from its discovery in 1839 to recent advancements. It notes key developments including the discovery of the photovoltaic effect and photoconductivity of materials like selenium, the creation of the first solar cell in 1883, improvements in silicon solar cells from the 1950s onward that enabled commercial use, and more recent reductions in costs and innovations like flexible printed panels.
The document provides a history of solar energy from its discovery in 1839 to recent advancements. It notes key developments including the discovery of the photovoltaic effect and photoconductivity of materials like selenium, the creation of the first solar cell in 1883, improvements in silicon solar cells from the 1950s onward that enabled commercial use, and more recent reductions in costs and innovations like flexible printed panels.
The document provides a history of solar energy from its discovery in 1839 to recent advancements. It notes key developments including the discovery of the photovoltaic effect and photoconductivity of materials like selenium, the creation of the first solar cell in 1883, improvements in silicon solar cells from the 1950s onward that enabled commercial use, and more recent reductions in costs and innovations like flexible printed panels.
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HISTORY OF SOLAR ENERGY
1839: Photovoltaic Effect Is Discovered
French scientist Edmond Becquerel first discovered the photovoltaic effect in 1839. This process occurs when light is absorbed by a material and creates electrical voltage. Most modern solar cells use silicon crystals to attain this effect. 1873–1876: Selenium’s Photoconductivity Is Discovered English electrical engineer Willoughby Smith discovered the photoconductivity of selenium, meaning it becomes electrically conductive when it absorbs light. Three years later, William Grylls Adams and Richard Evans Day learned that selenium could produce electricity from light without heat or moving parts that could easily break down. This discovery proved that solar power was easy to harvest and maintain, requiring fewer parts than other energy sources — such as coal-fired plants. 1883: First Solar Cell Is Created New York inventor Charles Fritts created the first solar cell by coating selenium with a thin layer of gold. This cell achieved an energy conversion rate of 1–2%. Most modern solar cells work at an efficiency of 15–20%. 1887: The Photoelectric Effect Is Observed German physicist Heinrich Hertz first observed the photoelectric effect, where light is used to free electrons from a solid surface (usually metal) to create power. Contrary to expected results, Hertz found this process produced more power when exposed to ultraviolet light, rather than more intense visible light. Albert Einstein later received the Nobel Prize for further explaining the effect. Modern-day solar cells rely on the photoelectric effect to convert sunlight into power. 1953–1956: Silicon Solar Cells Are Produced Commercially Physicists at Bell Laboratories discovered that silicon is more efficient than selenium, creating the first practical solar cell — now 6% efficient. This discovery led to solar cells capable of powering electrical equipment. In 1956, Western Electric began selling commercial licenses for its silicon PV technologies, but the prohibitive costs of silicon solar cells keep them from widespread market saturation. 1958: Solar Energy Is Used In Space After years of experiments to improve the efficiency and commercialization of solar power, solar energy gained support when the government used it to power space exploration equipment. The first solar-powered satellite, Vanguard 1, has traveled more than 197,000 revolutions around Earth in the 50 years it has been in orbit. This application paved the way for more research to decrease costs and increase production. 1970s: Research Drives Costs Down As oil prices rose in the 1970s, demand for solar power increased. Exxon Corporation financed research to create solar cells made from lower-grade silicon and cheaper materials, pushing costs from $100 per watt to only $20–$40 per watt. The federal government also passed several solar-friendly bills and initiatives and created the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) in 1977. 1982: The First Solar Parks Are Created Arco Solar built the first solar park — basically a solar power plant — in Hesperia, California, in 1982. This park generated 1 megawatt, or 1,000 kilowatts per hour, while operating at full capacity. This could power a 100-kilowatt lightbulb for 10 hours. In 1983, Arco Solar built a second solar park in Carrizo Plains, California. At the time, it was the largest collection of solar arrays in the world, containing 100,000 PV arrays that generated 5.2 megawatts at full capacity. While these plants fell into disarray with oil’s return to popularity, they demonstrated the potential for commercial solar power production. 1995: Retractable RV Solar Panels Created Solar research continued to expand into other commercial industries: Thomas Faludy filed a patent in 1995 for a retractable awning with integrated solar cells. This was one of the first times solar cells were used in recreational vehicles. Today, this feature is a popular way to power RVs. 1994–1999: Photovoltaic Conversion Reaches New Levels In 1994, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory developed a new solar cell from gallium indium phosphide and gallium arsenide that exceeded 30% conversion efficiency. By the end of the century, the laboratory created thin-film solar cells that converted 32% of the sunlight it collected into usable energy. 2005: DIY Solar Panels Become Popular As technology and efficiency of solar cells have increased, residential solar power has become more popular. DIY solar panels started hitting the market in 2005 and have become more prevalent with each new year. Today, there are many ways to make your own solar panels, from putting together a solar panel kit to planning a solar array. 2015: Flexible Printed Solar Panels Hit the Market Solar cells as this as paper can now be manufactured using an industrial printer and made into products such as roof tiles or shingles. They have 20% power conversion efficiency, and a single strip can produce up to 50 watts per square meter, making the cost of residential solar energy lower than ever. This is also great news for the 1.3 billion people in developing countries, as the strips are flexible and inexpensive to produce. 2016: Sunless Solar Power Is Discovered A research team from the University of California, Berkeley, and the Australian National University discovered new properties of nanomaterial. One of these properties is called magnetic hyperbolic dispersion, which means the material glows when heated. If combined with thermophotovoltaic cells, it could turn heat into electricity without the need for sunlight. Solar power has come a long way in the past 200 years, from observing the properties of light to finding new ways to convert it into power. This technology shows no signs of slowing down — if anything, it is advancing at an unprecedented rate. Stay up to date on the latest solar news and advances to decide if solar power is right for you. What is Solar Energy? Solar energy refers to capturing the energy from the Sun and subsequently converting it into electricity. We can then use that electricity to light up our homes, streets, and businesses, and power our machines as well. We can also use the term solar power with the same meaning.
Solar power plant
is based on the conversion of sunlight into electricity, either directly using photovoltaics (PV), or indirectly using concentrated solar power (CSP). Concentrated solar power systems use lenses, mirrors, and tracking systems to focus a large area of sunlight into a small beam. Solar panels (also known as "PV panels") are used to convert light from the sun, which is composed of particles of energy called "photons", into electricity that can be used to power electrical loads. Solar panels can be used for a wide variety of applications including remote power systems for cabins, telecom munications equipment, remote sensing, and of course for the production of electricity by residential and commercial solar electric systems. TYPES OF SOLAR CELLS Amorphous Silicon solar cell (a-Si) Multi-junction solar cell (MJ) Biohybrid solar cell Nanocrystal solar cell Cadmium telluride solar cell (CdTe) Organic solar cell (OPV) Concentrated PV cell (CVP and HCVP) Perovskite solar cell Copper indium gallium selenide solar Photoelectrochemical cell (PEC) cells (CI(G)S) Plasmonic solar cell Crystalline silicon solar cell (c-Si) Polycrystalline solar cell (multi-Si) Dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) Quantum dot solar cell Gallium arsenide germanium solar Solid-state solar cell cell (GaAs) Thin-film solar cell (TFSC) Hybrid solar cell Wafer solar cell, or wafer-based solar Luminescent solar concentrator cell (LSC) cell crystalline Micromorph (tandem-cell using a-Si/μc-Si) Monocrystalline solar cell (mono-Si) SOLAR PANEL CATEGORIES: 1St Generation Solar Panel 2nd Generation Solar Panel 3rd Generation Solar Panel 1st Generation Solar Panels These are the traditional types of solar panels made of monocrystalline silicon or polysilicon and are most commonly used in conventional surroundings.
Monocrystalline Solar Panels (Mono-SI)
This type of solar panels (made of monocrystalline silicon) is the purest one. You can easily recognize them from the uniform dark look and the rounded edges. The silicon’s high purity causes this type of solar panel has one of the highest efficiency rates, with the newest ones reaching above 20%. Monocrystalline panels have a high power output, occupy less space, and last the longest. Of course, that also means they are the most expensive of the bunch. Another advantage to consider is that they tend to be slightly less affected by high temperatures compared to polycrystalline panels. Polycrystalline Solar Panels (Poly-SI) You can quickly distinguish these panels because this type of solar panels has squares, its angles are not cut, and it has a blue, speckled look. They are made by melting raw silicon, which is a faster and cheaper process than that used for monocrystalline panels. This leads to a lower final price but also lower efficiency (around 15%), lower space efficiency, and a shorter lifespan since they are affected by hot temperatures to a greater degree. However, the differences between mono- and polycrystalline types of solar panels are not so significant and the choice will strongly depend on your specific situation. The first option offers a slightly higher space efficiency at a slightly higher price but power outputs are basically the same. 2nd Generation Solar Panels: These cells are different types of thin film solar cells and are mainly used for photovoltaic power stations, integrated in buildings or smaller solar power systems. Thin-Film Solar Cells (TFSC) If you are looking for a less expensive option, you might want to look into thin-film. Thin-film solar panels are manufactured by placing one or more films of photovoltaic material (such as silicon, cadmium or copper) onto a substrate. These types of solar panels are the easiest to produce and economies of scale make them cheaper than the alternatives due to less material being needed for its production. They are also flexible—which opens a lot of opportunities for alternative applications— and is less affected by high temperatures. The main issue is that they take up a lot of space, generally making them unsuitable for residential installations. Moreover, they carry the shortest warranties because their lifespan is shorter than the mono- and polycrystalline types of solar panels. However, they can be a good option to choose among the different types of solar panels where a lot of space is available. Amorphous Silicon Solar Cell (A-Si) Have you ever used a solar powered pocket calculator? Yes? Then you have definitely seen these types of solar panels before. The amorphous silicon solar cell is among the different types of solar panels, the one that is used mainly in such pocket calculators. This type of solar panel uses a triple layered technology, which is the best of the thin film variety. Just to give a brief impression of what “thin” means, in this case, we’re talking about a thickness of 1 micrometre (one millionth of a meter). With only 7% efficiency rate, these cells are less effective than crystalline silicon ones—that have an efficiency rate of circa 18%—but the advantage is the fact that the A-Si-Cells are relatively low in cost. 3rd Generation Solar Panels 3rd generation solar panels include a variety of thin film technologies but most of them are still in the research or development phase. Some of them generate electricity by using organic materials, others use inorganic substances (CdTe for instance) Biohybrid Solar Cell The Biohybrid solar cell is one of the types of solar panels, that is still in the research phase. It has been discovered by an expert team at Vanderbilt University. The idea behind the new technology is to take advantage of the photosystem 1 and thus emulate the natural process of photosynthesis. In case you want to learn more about how the biohybrid solar cell works in detail, read more about it in the American Journal of Optics and Photonics. It explains more detailed how these cells work. Many of the materials being used in this cell are similar to the traditional methods, but only by combining the multiple layers of photosystem 1, the conversion from chemical to electrical energy becomes much more effective (up to 1000 times more efficient than 1st generation types of solar panels). Cadmium Telluride Solar Cell (CdTe) Among the collection of different types of solar panels, this photovoltaic technique uses Cadmium Telluride, which enables the production of solar cells at relatively low cost and thus a shorter payback time (less than a year). Of all solar energy technologies, this is the one requiring the least amount of water for production. Keeping the short energy payback time in mind, CdTe solar cells will keep your carbon footprint as low as possible. The only disadvantage of using Cadmium Telluride is its characteristic of being toxic, if ingested or inhaled. In Europe especially, this is one of the greatest barriers to overcome, as many people are very concerned about using the technology behind this type of solar panel. Concentrated PV Cell (CVP and HCVP) Concentrated PV cells generate electrical energy just as conventional photovoltaic systems do. Those multi- junction types of solar panels have an efficiency rate up to 41%, which, among all photovoltaic systems, is the highest so far. The name of such CVP cells is related to what makes them so efficient, compared to other types of solar panels: curved mirror surfaces, lenses and sometimes even cooling systems are used to bundle the sun rays and thus increase their efficiency. By this means, CVP cells have become one of the most efficient types of solar panels, with a high performance and efficiency rate of up to 41%. What remains is the fact, that such CVP solar panels can only be as efficient if they face the sun in a perfect angle. In order to reach such high efficiency rates, a solar tracker inside the solar panel is responsible for following the sun. Advantages of Solar Energy 1. Renewable Energy Source Among all the benefits of solar panels, the most important thing is that solar energy is a truly renewable energy source. It can be harnessed in all areas of the world and is available every day. We cannot run out of solar energy, unlike some of the other sources of energy. Solar energy will be accessible as long as we have the sun, therefore sunlight will be available to us for at least 5 billion years when according to scientists the sun is going to die. 2. Reduces Electricity Bills Since you will be meeting some of your energy needs with the electricity your solar system has generated, your energy bills will drop. How much you save on your bill will be dependent on the size of the solar system and your electricity or heat usage. Moreover, not only will you be saving on the electricity bill, but if you generate more electricity than you use, the surplus will be exported back to the grid and you will receive bonus payments for that amount (considering that your solar panel system is connected to the grid). Savings can further grow if you sell excess electricity at high rates during the day and then buy electricity from the grid during the evening when the rates are lower. 3. Diverse Applications Solar energy can be used for diverse purposes. You can generate electricity (photovoltaics) or heat (solar thermal). Solar energy can be used to produce electricity in areas without access to the energy grid, to distill water in regions with limited clean water supplies and to power satellites in space. Solar energy can also be integrated into the materials used for buildings. Not long ago Sharp introduced transparent solar energy windows. 4. Low Maintenance Costs Solar energy systems generally don’t require a lot of maintenance. You only need to keep them relatively clean, so cleaning them a couple of times per year will do the job. If in doubt, you can always rely on specialized cleaning companies, which offer this service from around £25-£35. Most reliable solar panel manufacturers offer 20-25 years warranty. Also, as there are no moving parts, there is no wear and tear. The inverter is usually the only part that needs to changed after 5-10 years because it is continuously working to convert solar energy into electricity (solar PV) and heat (solar thermal). Apart from the inverter, the cables also need maintenance to ensure your solar power system runs at maximum efficiency. So, after covering the initial cost of the solar system, you can expect very little spending on maintenance and repair work. 5. Technology Development Technology in the solar power industry is constantly advancing and improvements will intensify in the future. Innovations in quantum physics and nanotechnology can potentially increase the effectiveness of solar panels and double, or even triple, the electrical input of the solar power systems. Disadvantages of Solar Energy 1. Cost The initial cost of purchasing a solar system is fairly high. Although the UK government has introduced some schemes for encouraging the adoption of renewable energy sources, for example, the Feed-in Tariff, you still have to cover the upfront costs. This includes paying for solar panels, inverter, batteries, wiring, and for the installation. Nevertheless, solar technologies are constantly developing, so it is safe to assume that prices will go down in the future. 2. Weather Dependent Although solar energy can still be collected during cloudy and rainy days, the efficiency of the solar system drops. Solar panels are dependent on sunlight to effectively gather solar energy. Therefore, a few cloudy, rainy days can have a noticeable effect on the energy system. You should also take into account that solar energy cannot be collected during the night. On the other hand, if you also require your water heating solution to work at night or during wintertime, thermodynamic panels are an alternative to consider. 3. Solar Energy Storage Is Expensive Solar energy has to be used right away, or it can be stored in large batteries. These batteries, used in off-the-grid solar systems, can be charged during the day so that the energy is used at night. This is a good solution for using solar energy all day long but it is also quite expensive. In most cases, it is smarter to just use solar energy during the day and take energy from the grid during the night (you can only do this if your system is connected to the grid). Luckily your energy demand is usually higher during the day so you can meet most of it with solar energy. 4. Uses a Lot of Space The more electricity you want to produce, the more solar panels you will need, as you want to collect as much sunlight as possible. Solar panels require a lot of space and some roofs are not big enough to fit the number of solar panels that you would like to have. An alternative is to install some of the panels in your yard but they need to have access to sunlight. If you don’t have the space for all the panels that you wanted, you can opt for installing fewer to still satisfy some of your energy needs. 5. Associated with Pollution Although pollution related to solar energy systems is far less compared to other sources of energy, solar energy can be associated with pollution. Transportation and installation of solar systems have been associated with the emission of greenhouse gases. There are also some toxic materials and hazardous products used during the manufacturing process of solar photovoltaics, which can indirectly affect the environment. Nevertheless, solar energy pollutes far less than other alternative energy sources. Solar Energy Benefits Sunlight is free, therefore, as soon as you have paid for the initial installation, your electricity costs are virtually free. Sell electricity to the grid. The electricity grid will pay households for the electricity that they export through the UK’s Feed-in Tariff scheme. Similar schemes also exist in other countries. Lower carbon footprint, solar energy is a green renewable energy. It does not release carbon dioxide and other gases that contribute to climate change. BASIC COMPONENT OF SOLAR POWER PLANT Inverters Module Mounting Structure Cables Batteries Other Electrical Components Inverters – [DC Power to AC Power] Inverters convert the electricity from solar panels which are in DC form to AC form. Apart from this, command and control signals for electricity production from panels are provided by the inverters. Module Mounting Structures – [Module Support] Mounting structures support solar panels on the ground or on the rooftop. They provide a secure fastening of the panels and protect them against wind, water logging and other external impacts. Cables transfer electricity from the panels to the inverter, and from the inverter to the load. Solar cables are expected to withstand long-term exposure to sunlight and other atmospheric conditions. Batteries Battery packs can be added to the solar power plants at an additional cost to store the excess energy produced by the solar power plant during day. But beware – batteries, at their current costs and performance, provide value for money only for small scale rooftop solar power plants.