The History of Solar Power

Even though the recognition for the development of the solar power cell was given to Albert Einstein, when he received the Nobel Prize in Physics for his research on electricity derived from solar cells, called the photoelectric effect, in the year 1921; the invention of the solar power was originally initiated by Auguste Mouchout in the year 1861. He created the first steam engine which derived its entire energy from the sun. This was quite an expensive invention as the alternative fuel source in England being coal was affordable, and hence the passion and fervor for this creation hit the brakes. William Grylls Adams (1836-1915), professor of Natural Philosophy at King's College, London, is also important for his role in the discovery of the photoelectric effect. He revealed that by shining light on the metal called Selenium, it shed electrons, thereby creating electricity. Calvin Souther Fuller, a famous scientist from Bell Laboratories which is now known as AT&T, discovered how to purify silicon. He designed a special furnace where he could perform a melting process to rid silicon of its impurities. Working along with scientists Daryl Chapin and Gerald Pearson, Fuller diffused boron into silicon to capture the sun's power. In doing so, together they successfully invented the first practical means of collecting energy from the sun and transforming it into a current of electricity. It was quoted by New York Times as the "The beginning of a new era", thereafter causing the accomplishment of harnessing the unlimited and inexhaustible energy of the sun for its use in all kind of development. The production and commerce of solar energy started in the form of solar cells costing about $300 per watt. The development in space technology in recent years has accelerated this phenomenon to some extent, thereby reducing the cost to as low as $5/watt. Recently, in the year 1973, when the Arab Oil Embargo occurred, it created a sudden urgency in the demand on alternative fuel sources; with solar power ranking quite high. There were high expectations from the government to invest enormously in research and development of subsidies for creating this energy resource which would lead to the reduction of Photovoltaic costs, leveling it to fossil fuel. Alas, the depreciation in fuel prices hampered the development of this research. Since the 90's, the production market of solar energy has grown at a rate like never before, which gives certain assurance indicating reduction in the price of this technology. This is due to the colossal growth of Germany and Japan's photovoltaic market. But, to our dismay, the basic source of fuel resources remains unchanged, despite of the advancement of solar power and photovoltaic technologies since decades.