Solar panels have become essential in the global transition towards renewable energy sources and a sustainable future.
Although these environmentally friendly devices are widely utilized today, many people may not know the origins and the key figures behind their invention.
Delving into the history of solar panels shines a light on the technological advancements in renewable energy and provides context for understanding the significant strides made within this field.
The journey of solar panel invention traces back to the 19th century, beginning with French scientist Alexandre-Edmond Becquerel.
In 1839, at the age of 19, Becquerel discovered the photovoltaic effect, laying the groundwork for future solar cell development
. Progress continued with the work of American inventor Charles Fritts, who installed the first solar panels on a New York City rooftop in 1884.
It wasn’t until the mid-20th century, however, that solar technology evolved to become what we recognize today.
The modern silicon photovoltaic cell, the cornerstone of present-day solar panels, was created by Daryl Chapin, Calvin Fuller, and Gerald Pearson at Bell Labs in 1954.
Throughout the years, advancements in solar technology have continued to progress, transforming the solar panel industry and positioning it as a critical component of our renewable energy future.
Who Invented Solar Panels?
The history of solar panels can be traced back to the 19th century. The concept of converting sunlight into usable energy has fascinated scientists for centuries, but it wasn’t until the early 1900s that significant progress was made.
The solar panel as we know it today was invented by Daryl Chapin, Calvin Fuller, and Gerald Pearson at Bell Labs in 1954.
However, the idea of solar energy dates back to 1839, when French physicist Alexandre-Edmond Becquerel discovered the photovoltaic effect.
This process enables materials to generate an electric current when exposed to sunlight.
Although Becquerel’s discovery was groundbreaking, researchers took over a century to create the first practical solar cell.
In 1888, Russian scientist Aleksandr Stoletov invented the world’s first solar cell using photoelectricity, which laid the foundation for future solar energy innovations.
Fast forward to 1954, when Daryl Chapin, Calvin Fuller, and Gerald Pearson worked at Bell Labs.
Their invention of the silicon photovoltaic (PV) cell marked the beginning of the modern solar panel era.
This new solar cell could convert sunlight into electricity at a much higher efficiency than previous attempts, making it more practical for widespread use.
Since then, solar panel technology has advanced significantly. Researchers continue to find new ways to improve the efficiency and affordability of solar energy.
Today, solar panels have become a popular renewable energy option that can be seen on rooftops across the globe, providing clean and sustainable power to millions of people.
Frequently Asked Questions
French scientist Alexandre-Edmond Becquerel created the first solar cell in 1839 when he was just 19 years old.
The very first solar cell was developed in 1839 by Alexandre-Edmond Becquerel. However, it was not until 1873 that Willoughby Smith discovered the photoconductive properties of selenium.
Charles Fritts played a crucial role in the early history of solar panels. He was an American inventor who, in 1883, created the first solid-state solar cell made from a thin layer of selenium coated with gold.
Albert Einstein is often credited with laying the foundation for photovoltaic technology. In 1905, Einstein published a paper explaining the photoelectric effect, which is the phenomenon that underpins the functioning of solar cells. For this work, he was awarded the 1921 Nobel Prize in Physics. You can learn more about Einstein’s contribution to solar energy here.
Solar panels became commercially viable in the 1950s when Bell Laboratories developed the first practical, high-efficiency solar cell made of silicon. Gerald Pearson, a physicist at Bell Labs, was a critical figure in this development.
