What is a solar panel?

Definition of Solar Panel The first use of the term “solar panel” occurred in the 1950s, referring to a device that converted sunlight directly into electricity by utilizing photovoltaic cells. Photovoltaic technology is based on the ability of certain materials, such as silicon, to transform solar radiation into an electric current.

When were solar panels invented?

Solar panels, now synonymous with the pursuit of clean energy, can trace their roots back to the 19th century. The seminal discovery of the photovoltaic effect by French physicist Alexandre Edmond Becquerel in 1839 laid the theoretical groundwork for what was to come.

How do solar panels work?

Solar panels typically consist of interconnected solar cells, which are arranged in a grid and covered with glass or plastic to protect them from the elements. The energy conversion rate of a solar panel depends on a number of factors, including the amount of direct sunlight it receives and the type of cells used.

When was solar power first used?

In the late 1700s and 1800s, researchers and scientists had success using sunlight to power ovens for long voyages. They also harnessed the power of the sun to produce solar-powered steamboats. Ultimately, it's clear that even thousands of years before the era of solar panels, the concept of manipulating the power of the sun was a common practice.

Why are solar panels so popular?

Solar panels started gaining popularity in the late 2000s. This was driven by a combination of factors, including falling costs, improved efficiency, and growing awareness of the environmental impact of fossil fuels. Today, solar power is one of the fastest-growing sources of new energy worldwide.

Who invented solar power?

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.