The History of Solar Energy
Passive solar design is a way to warm the home based on the dwelling’s design. They may not have had glass windows back then but their architecture made it possible for the people to use the sun’s rays to light and heat indoor spaces. As a result, there was no need to burn food that often which was in short supply.
In 1861, Auguste Mouchout invented the first active solar motor. Unfortunately, its expensive price made it impossible to produce commercially. Less than 20 years later, Charles Fritts invented solar cells which will later on be used to power homes, heaters, satellites and other devices today.
Since what he invented was very primitive, other people experimented on solar energy. One such person was Albert Einstein who won the Nobel Prize for physics in his research on the photoelectric effect which is a phenomenon associated with the generation of electricity through solar cells.
In 1953, Bell Laboratories which we know today as AT&T labs developed the first silicon solar cell capable of generating a measurable electric current. Three years later, solar cells ran $300 per watt. With the Cold War and the Space Race on, this was used to power satellites and crafts.
But the biggest event in the development of sola energy occurred during the oil crisis of 1973. This prompted the US government to invest heavily in the solar electric cell that was developed by Bell Laboratories 20 years ago.
By the 1990’s, research towards solar energy came to a standstill as the price of oil dropped in the world market. Funds were diverted elsewhere and the United States which was probably the leader in this form of alternative energy was soon surpassed by other nations mainly Germany and Japan.
In 2002 for example, Japan had installed 25,000 solar panels on rooftops. Because of that, the price of solar panels went down as the demand for it was on the rise. To date, solar energy is growing at a modest 30% per year.
Although there have been improvements in solar energy, its fundamentals are still the same. The sun’s rays are collected and then converted into electricity. Aside from powering homes or office buildings, the technology has been used to power aircraft, cars and boats.
Unfortunately, none of these have been made available yet for public use. We still rely heavily on oil for electricity, gasoline for our cars, fuel for planes and ships.
In fact, the US is one of the biggest oil users in the world. To prove a point, the department of Defense consumes 395,000 barrels per day because of the wars being fought right now in Afghanistan and Iraq which is almost the fuel consumption of an entire country like Greece.
This has to change because our oil reserves are almost depleted and many experts believe that global supply for these non-renewable resources will be gone before the end of the century. We have to do our share to push for renewable energy and one of them happens to be solar energy.
Menu
Articles
Solar Energy SimplifiedSolar Energy Is The Future
The Future Of Solar Energy On Transportation
The Benefits Of Solar Energy
Solar Energy In Households
How To Conserve Solar Energy Through Your Little Ways
Things You Should Know Before Investing In Solar Energy
Using Solar Energy Goes Way Back
How Does Solar Energy Work
Arguments Against Solar Energy
The Pros And Cons Of Solar Energy
Solar Energy - How Does It Benefit The Agricultural Sector
The Downsides Of Solar Energy
You Need A PV System To Generate Solar Energy
You Can Have A Home Powered By Solar Energy
Analyzing The Benefits Of Solar Energy
The History Of Solar Energy
Countries On The Helm Of Solar Energy Technology
Net Metering And Solar Energy
Wind Power Vs. Solar Energy, An Even Match?
Technologies For Harnessing Solar Energy
Facts About Solar Energy – Some Things To Ponder And Why
The Future Of Solar Energy – How It Looks And How It Affects Nature
Articles An Overview On The Interesting Facts About Solar Energy There are lots of interesting facts about solar energy. Educating yourself.. The Future Of Solar Energy – How It Looks And How It Affects Nature The future of solar energy lies on the indigenous hands of people who.. Solar Energy - How Does It Benefit The Agricultural Sector What is solar energy? To put it simply, this is the energy.. The Downsides Of Solar Energy Not that I’m against using solar energy or anything but.. |
|
|
Related News:
|