The 1883 photovoltaic cell, Fritts’ brainchild, was a marvel of its time. Constructed using selenium and coated with a thin layer of gold, this early solar cell was the first to convert sunlight into electricity, albeit at a low efficiency.
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%.
In 1883, American inventor Charles Fritts took the first steps towards practical solar power by constructing a photovoltaic cell using selenium coated with a thin layer of gold. This cell, considered rudimentary by today’s standards, had a conversion efficiency of around 1-2%, a significant starting point given the limited technology of the time.
Despite the low preliminary power conversion efficiency (PCE) of <1%, these early discoveries initiated the research of photovoltaic field and then inspired the emergence of silicon (Si) solar cells in 1954 (2), thus laying the foundation for modern photovoltaic industry.
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.
This article delves into the historical milestones of solar power, spotlighting Charles Fritts’ 1883 invention of the first photovoltaic cell, a cornerstone in the annals of solar energy. Charles Fritts, often a lesser-known figure in the pantheon of scientific pioneers, played a pivotal role in harnessing the sun’s power.