subject: The History Of The Solar Panel Part Ii [print this page] The Solar Panel has a long and interesting history. In 1887 it was discovered that ultraviolet light changed the lowest voltage.
This discovery of Heinrich Hertz changed the voltage so that a spark to jump between two metal electrodes. Four years later, Clarence Kemp obtained a patent for the first commercial solar water heater.
In the 1950s, Architect Frank Bridgers applied this new technology in the world's first commercial office building. The technology has worked seamlessly since that time.
The building is now known as the Bridgers-Paxton Building. It is listed in the National Historic Register as the first solar heated office building.
By 1956, William Cherry worked for the U.S. Signal Corps laboratories. Paul Rappaport and Joseph Loferski worked for the RCA Labs.
These three men came together to discuss producing photovoltaic cells to propel orbiting satellites around Earth. A year later Hoffman Electronics were able to produce photovoltaic cells with 8% efficiency.
The next year many discoveries were made. T. Mandelkorn from the U.S. Signal Corps Laboratories fabricated n-on-p silicon photovoltaic cells which could resist radiation more effectively than previous cells.
Hoffman Electronics also continued to improve their photovoltaic cells and achieved 9% efficiency. Improvements in space instruments continued as well.
The Vanguard I space satellite used a small array to power the radios at the beginning of the year. Later, the Explorer III, Vanguard II, and Sputnik-3 all functioned using PV-power systems.
The silicon cell was commercialized repeatedly throughout this time somewhat unsuccessfully. However, it was very useful in powering satellites.
These silicon cells are still used for many applications in space today. By 1959, Hoffman's Electronics'photovoltaic cells became 10% efficient.
This year Hoffman also learned how to use grid contact which dramatically lessened the series resistance. Two satellites relying on solar power, the Explorer VI and the Explorer VII, were launched into space this year as well.
The next year Hoffman Electronics' photo voltaic cells jumped up to 14% efficiency. Silicon Sensors, Inc. also began to provide some competition by starting up in Dodgeville Wisconsin and producing selenium and silicon photovoltaic cells.
Two years later, Bell Telephone Laboratories launches the Telstar into space, which is the first telecommunications satellite. In 1963, Sharp Corporation produces a practical silicon photovoltaic module.
Japan also develops a lighthouse that uses a 242-watt, photovoltaic array. This was the largest array that had ever been achieved.
In 1964, NASA launches a spacecraft, the Nimbus, running on a 470-watt photovoltaic array. The next year, Peter Glaser develops the idea of creating a satellite solar power station for more efficiency.
NASA then launches the first Orbiting Astronomical Observatory in 1966. This Observatory is powered by a 1-kilwatt photovoltaic array.
This observatory was meant to gather information about the ultraviolet and x-ray wavelengths produced by stars that are filtered out by the earth's atmosphere. Later that year, France created an eight story parabolic mirror which they named the Odeillo solar furnace.
In the 1970s Dr. Elliot Berman designs a solar cell that cost much less to make than the previous $100 a watt design. With help from Exxon Corporation, he creates a design that only costs $20 per watt.
As solar cells became cheaper, they began to be used for many other things. They started to be used for power navigation warning lights, horns, offshore gas and oil rigs, lighthouses, railroad crossings, and for other household items.
In 1972, the French put solar power to use by using a cadmium sulfide photovoltaic system to power a television at a school in Niger. This year the University of Delaware built the Institute of Energy Conversion in order to do more research and development concerning thin-film photovoltaic (PV) and solar thermal systems.
This was the first official educational institution regarding photovoltaic related topics. The following year, the University of Delaware constructs "Solar One." "Solar One" was the first photovoltaic powered homes.
This first system involved a mix of photovoltaic and thermal power. The extra power gained throughout the day was fed into a special meter to be used at night.
In these ninety years, solar power came a long way. It began to establish a firm footing and usage in the modern world.
