The story of photovoltaic panels

Who invented photovoltaic technology?

1954 Photovoltaic technology is born in the United States when Daryl Chapin, Calvin Fuller, and Gerald Pearson develop the silicon photovoltaic (PV) cell at Bell Labs—the first solar cell capable of converting enough of the sun’s energy into power to run everyday electrical equipment.

What is photovoltaics & why is it important?

Though solar energy has found a dynamic and established role in today's clean energy economy, there's a long history behind photovoltaics (PV) that brought the concept of solar energy to fruition.

Who discovered the photovoltaic effect?

It all began with Edmond Becquerel, a young physicist working in France, who in 1839 observed and discovered the photovoltaic effect — a process that produces a voltage or electric current when exposed to light or radiant energy. A few decades later, French mathematician Augustin Mouchot was inspired by the physicist’s work.

What is the eficiency record for thin-film photovoltaic solar cells?

The National Renewable Energy Laboratory achieves a new eficiency record for thin-film photovoltaic solar cells. The measurement of 18.8 percent eficiency for the prototype solar cell topped the previous record by more than 1 percent. Cumulative worldwide installed photovoltaic capacity reaches 1000 megawatts.

How did Albert Einstein develop photovoltaics?

1917: Albert Einstein gives a theoretical foundation to photovoltaics by introducing the notion that lights act as packets carrying electromagnetic force. 1929: Physicist Gilbert Lewis coins the term "photons" to describe Einstein's packets of electromagnetic energy.

When was photovoltaic efficiency first achieved?

Between 1957 and 1960, Hoffman Electronics made a number of breakthroughs with photovoltaic efficiency, improving the efficiency record from 8% to 14%. The next major achievement was in 1985 when the University of New South Wales achieved 20% efficiency for silicon cells.