| With the recent rise in energy costs many | | | | the late 1950's and early 1960's satellites |
| people have been looking to alternative | | | | in the USA's and Soviet's space program were |
| sources of energy. One of the greatest | | | | powered by solar cells and in the late 1960's |
| energy sources (our sun) is readily available | | | | solar power was basically the standard for |
| for the taking. We just need to be able to | | | | powering space bound satellites.In the early |
| harness it's power. For those interested, | | | | 1970's a way to lower to cost of solar cells |
| below is a brief history of how solar power | | | | was discovered. This brought the price down |
| came to be.The history of photovoltaic energy | | | | from $100 per watt to around $20 per watt. |
| (aka. solar cells) started way back in 1876. | | | | This research was spearheaded by Exxon. Most |
| William Grylls Adams along with a student of | | | | off-shore oil rigs used the solar cells to |
| his, Richard Day, discovered that when | | | | power the waning lights on the top of the |
| selenium was exposed to light, it produced | | | | rigs.The period from the 1970's to the 1990's |
| electricity. An electricity expert, Werner | | | | saw quite a change in the usage of solar |
| von Siemens, stated that the discovery was | | | | cells. They began showing up on railroad |
| "scientifically of the most far-reaching | | | | crossings, in remote places to power homes, |
| importance". The selenium cells were not | | | | Australia used solar cells in their microwave |
| efficient, but it was proved that light, | | | | towers to expand their telecommunication |
| without heat or moving parts, could be | | | | capabilities. Even desert regions saw solar |
| converted into electricity.In 1953, Calvin | | | | power bring water to the soil where line fed |
| Fuller, Gerald Pearson, and Daryl Chapin, | | | | power was not an option!Today we see solar |
| discovered the silicon solar cell. This cell | | | | cells in a wide variety of places. You may |
| actually produced enough electricity and was | | | | see solar powered cars. There is even a |
| efficient enough to run small electrical | | | | solar powered aircraft that has flown higher |
| devices. The New York Times stated that this | | | | than any other aircraft with the exception of |
| discovery was "the beginning of a new era, | | | | the Blackbird. With the cost of solar cells |
| leading eventually to the realization of | | | | well within everyone's budget, solar power |
| harnessing the almost limitless energy of the | | | | has never looked so tempting.Recently new |
| sun for the uses of civilization."The year is | | | | technology has given us screen printed solar |
| 1956, and the first solar cells are available | | | | cells, and a solar fabric that can be used to |
| commercially. The cost however is far from | | | | side a house, even solar shingles that |
| the reach of everyday people. At $300 for a | | | | install on our roofs. International markets |
| 1 watt solar cell, the expense was far beyond | | | | have opened up and solar panel manufacturers |
| anyone's means. 1956 started showing us the | | | | are now playing a key role in the solar power |
| first solar cells used in toys and radios. | | | | industry.For more information regarding solar |
| These novelty items were the first item to | | | | power, visit us online at Reece runs along |
| have solar cells available to consumers..In | | | | with other alternative energy sites. |