Solar panels are changing the world, moving everything from cars and trains to blenders and homes. But did you know that solar panels were invented 140 years ago? This important green technology went a long way before beginning to change the world.
The sun is an incredible source of energy. In 2019, humans used approximately 74 trillion kilowatts of electricity every day, and for a year it only took six and a half days of solar energy to run a civilization. Of course, this requires humans to capture all the sunlight every day. However, solar panels do not convert all solar energy that attacks them on electricity, and you cannot place solar panels anywhere.
If you want to use today’s technology to operate the whole world with solar power, you’ll need the 23,313 square miles of solar panel “Farm,” an area sized in West Virginia. As solar panel technology becomes more efficient, there will be more and less space needed to provide all the energy humans need.
The origin of the sun
Solar panels were first invented in 1883 by Charles Fritz in New York. The first panel was a layer of selenium coated with a thin layer of gold. These cells converted only 1% of the solar energy into electricity. 1904, Wilhelm Halwachs I discovered another combination: copper and copper worms, but it still only converted to 1% of the solar power.
The basic idea of Charles Fritz is the same as running solar panels today. The sun shines on the solar panel and heats it. Heat excites electrons in the silicon cells in the solar panel, and those electrons break freely and are harvested on the metal plates of the panel to create direct flow (DC) electricity to store in the battery. DC electricity must be converted to alternating current energy, the type of electricity coming from a wall socket before being used to power a home or car.
In 1954, scientists at Bell Laboratories, now known as Nokia Bell Labs, developed the first silicon cell. The inventors were Daryl Chapin, Calvin Fuller and Gerald Pearson. Due to the cost of silicon solar panels, it was not practical for consumers at the time. The first solar building was built at the University of Delaware in 1973, but no solar panels were used. The entire roof was a solar converter.
New silicon panel technology has begun a revolution, and today silicon panels will turn into electricity between 18% and 24% of solar energy. By the end of the 2020s, solar panel efficiency (speed of converting solar to electricity) is projected to exceed 30%. If that happens, humans will need to install solar panels only in about two-thirds of West Virginia to enhance all their needs. And of course, solar panels are spread all over the world, some are located in solar farms, and many are located in homes and office buildings.
Solar panel rise
The US government has pledged to make solar panels more accessible amid the energy crisis that occurred when oil supplies were cut off by many countries in the 1970s.
in fact, President Jimmy Carter installed 32 solar panels On the roof of the 1979 White House. The panels Carter used did not turn up electricity. When traditional energy, coal and gas fell in the 1980s, the commitments vanished, and the next president, Ronald Reagan, removed them.
It took another 20 years until 2006 for the next major national investment in solar energy. The solar investment tax credit was established that year. If they installed solar panels, people would pay back their money with taxes.
Now there was a race for a new source of energy! Over the next decade, solar panel prices have fallen 88.5%, measured by how much it costs to generate one watt of electricity. Think about buying snacks for $1.00. Next time you go back to the store, it costs just 11 cents. What a savings!
Burn burning fossil fuel fuels like coal and oil to generate electricity Contributes to 40% of carbon dioxide that causes global warming. Solar panels now produce as much electricity as coal-fired power plants, only two-half of their cost. With solar power now affordable, it’s only a matter of time before fossil fuels retire and the world completes its journey to renewable energy.
Fun facts about solar energy
Editor’s Note: This article was originally published on November 2, 2023 and updated in April 2025.
If you are considering going to solar, we recommend getting quotes from several installers. Check it out to find a reliable, reliable solar installer nearby that offers competitive pricing EnergyA free service that allows you to easily get to solar. It has hundreds of pre-vetted solar installers to compete for your business, assures you get a high quality solution and save 20-30% compared to you going it alone. Plus, it can be used freely. You won’t receive sales calls until you select the installer and share your phone number. Your personalized solar quotes are easy to compare online and access unbiased energy advisors to help you with every step of the way. Let’s get started here.
