Solar power works by converting energy from the sun into power. There are two forms of energy generated from the sun for our use – electricity and heat. Both are generated through the use of solar panels, which range in size from residential rooftops to ‘solar farms’ stretching over acres of rural land. Is solar power a clean energy source?
The birth of photovoltaics marked a major turning point in the history and evolution of solar energy. It set the stage for a series of technological advancements that would eventually lead to the efficient, cost-effective solar panels we see today. The story of solar cells began much earlier than the mid-20th century.
By generating electricity from the sun, solar PV systems help reduce reliance on fossil fuels and contribute to a more sustainable energy future. In conclusion, solar PV energy works by harnessing the power of the sun to generate electricity through the photovoltaic effect.
In 1954 PV technology was born when Daryl Chapin, Calvin Fuller and Gerald Pearson developed the silicon PV cell at Bell Labs in 1954 – the first solar cell capable of absorbing and converting enough of the sun's energy into power to run everyday electrical equipment. Today satellites, spacecraft orbiting Earth, are powered by solar energy.
Despite their inefficiency, Fritts’ solar cells represented a significant milestone in the history of solar energy. They demonstrated that it was possible to convert sunlight directly into electricity, paving the way for the development of modern photovoltaic technology.
Solar energy is a renewable and sustainable form of power derived from the radiant energy of the sun. This energy is harnessed through various technologies, primarily through photovoltaic cells and solar thermal systems.