Who invented the solar cell?

In 1941, Russell S Ohl at Bell Labs invented the first silicon solar cell, securing US patent no 2,402,662 on his invention. In the ’662 patent, Ohl described a process of forming a silicon ingot using silicon of a high degree of purity, ideally around 99.85%.

Who invented a photovoltaic cell?

In 1954, Bell Labs’ Daryl Chapin, Calvin Fuller, and Gerald Pearson created a silicon single-crystal photovoltaic (PV) cell capable of about 6% conversion efficiency with direct sunlight, enough to power an electric device for several hours of a day. 15 Their patent, US patent no 2,780,765, issued in 1957.

Does PV technology have a role in patenting?

The technical review of these patents has shown the global continuous efforts for improving PV technologies and addressing their technical challenges. Taken together, the results show that the PV technological system has been deeply connected with patenting activities since its emergence in the past century.

When was solar energy invented?

Research continued, centered in France and spreading elsewhere, on thermal energy generation from solar radiation. In 1860, Augustin Mouchot, a French mathematics professor, began working on solar energy after becoming gravely concerned about France’s dependence on coal.

Where do PV patents come from?

Geographically, the analysis shows that 95% of PV patents were filed by inventors in seven countries: Japan, Korea, China, USA, Germany, Taiwan, and France. Despite the higher quantity of patent applications filed by East Asian countries, the international business potential of their patents is still far behind their Westerner counterparts.

Which countries have filed PV patent applications?

Finally, the geographical, organizational and technical trends over the past six decades are analysed along with a review of the most influential inventions. The analysis shows that 95% of the PV patent applications were filed by inventors from seven countries: Japan, Korea, China, USA, Germany, Taiwan, and France.