Timeline of solar cells
A solar cell is a device that uses sunlight to turn it into electricity. Solar cells have been around for a long time, but they have become much more efficient and cost-effective over the years. Here is a timeline of the history of solar cells:
1876: An inventor named William Grylls Adams discovers that certain materials, such as selenium, have the ability to create electricity when exposed to sunlight.
1954: A scientist named Daryl Chapin works to create the first practical solar cell. It uses a material called silicon and is able to convert around 6% of the sunlight that hits it into energy.
1958: A company called Hoffman Electronics begins to make solar cells more widely available for purchase.
1980s: Solar cell companies make significant improvements in efficiency of their cells, allowing them to convert around 20% of sunlight into energy.
2010s: Solar cells become much more efficient, reaching levels of around 40% conversion. Companies also begin to make large-scale solar farms, allowing many solar cells to be connected together and generate energy for thousands of people.
1876: An inventor named William Grylls Adams discovers that certain materials, such as selenium, have the ability to create electricity when exposed to sunlight.
1954: A scientist named Daryl Chapin works to create the first practical solar cell. It uses a material called silicon and is able to convert around 6% of the sunlight that hits it into energy.
1958: A company called Hoffman Electronics begins to make solar cells more widely available for purchase.
1980s: Solar cell companies make significant improvements in efficiency of their cells, allowing them to convert around 20% of sunlight into energy.
2010s: Solar cells become much more efficient, reaching levels of around 40% conversion. Companies also begin to make large-scale solar farms, allowing many solar cells to be connected together and generate energy for thousands of people.
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