The history of solar panels dates back to the early 19th century when French physicist Alexandre Edmond Becquerel discovered the photovoltaic effect in 1839. He found that certain materials could generate electricity when exposed to sunlight. However, it wasn’t until the late 19th century that Charles Fritts created the first working solar cell in 1883 by coating selenium with a thin layer of gold. These early cells had very low efficiency, converting only about 1% of sunlight into electricity. Although these early experiments demonstrated the potential of solar energy, they were not yet practical for widespread use.
In the 1950s, researchers at Bell Laboratories made a breakthrough by developing the first silicon-based solar cell. In 1954, Daryl Chapin, Calvin Fuller, and Gerald Pearson created a solar cell that could achieve an efficiency of 6%, a significant improvement over previous designs. This advancement marked the beginning of modern photovoltaic (PV) technology. Soon after, solar panels were used in space exploration, providing power to satellites such as Vanguard 1 in 1958, demonstrating their reliability in extreme conditions.
During the 1970s energy crisis, interest in solar power grew as oil prices surged. Governments and research institutions began investing in solar technology, leading to improvements in efficiency and cost reduction. The U.S. Department of Energy and companies like Sharp and Kyocera in Japan played key roles in making solar panels more practical for terrestrial use. In 1979, Jimmy Carter installed solar panels on the White House, symbolizing a push toward renewable energy, although they were later removed by Ronald Reagan in the 1980s.
The 1990s and early 2000s saw significant advancements in solar technology and increased adoption worldwide. Countries like Germany and Japan implemented policies such as feed-in tariffs, which incentivized homeowners and businesses to install solar panels. These policies, along with improvements in manufacturing, led to a steady decline in solar panel costs. During this period, research focused on increasing efficiency, with some experimental solar cells exceeding 40% efficiency in laboratory settings.
In the 2010s, solar energy became one of the fastest-growing energy sources globally. The price of solar panels dropped dramatically due to mass production in China, advancements in thin-film and perovskite solar cells, and improvements in solar battery storage. Large-scale solar farms were developed in countries like China, India, and the United States, making solar power a significant contributor to national energy grids. By the end of the decade, solar energy had become cheaper than fossil fuels in many parts of the world, accelerating the transition toward renewable energy.
Today, solar technology continues to evolve with the development of bifacial panels, solar roof tiles, and floating solar farms. Researchers are also working on next-generation materials like quantum dots and tandem solar cells, which promise even higher efficiencies. Governments and corporations worldwide are setting ambitious goals for solar power expansion, aiming to achieve carbon neutrality and reduce reliance on fossil fuels. With continued innovation and investment, solar energy is expected to play a crucial role in the global shift toward sustainable energy in the coming decades.