History of Photovolatics

History of Photovolatics

The history of PV's dates back to 1839 and major developments evolved as follows:

1839 Edmund Becquerel, a French physicist observed the photovoltaic effect.

1880's Selenium PV cells were built that converted light in the visible spectrum into electricity and were 1% to 2% efficient. Light sensors for cameras are still made from selenium today.

In the early 1950's the Czochralski meter was developed for producing highly pure crystalline silicon.

In 1954 Bell Telephone Laboratories produced a silicon PV cell with a 4% efficiency and later achieved 11% efficiency.

In 1958 the US Vanguard space satellite used a small (less than one watt) array to power its radio. The space program has played an important role in the development of PV's ever since.

During the 1973-74 oil embargo the US Department of Energy funded the Federal Photovoltaic Utilization Program, resulting in the installation and testing of over 3,100 PV systems, many of which are in operation today.

The 1970s through the 1990s have seen a relative disinterest in solar power with majority ownership of many United States PV manufacturers transferring to German and Japanese interests.

The Gulf war of 1990 again sparked Americas interest in non-fossil fuel energy alternatives.

International markets for solar take off in the mid 1990s.