The start of modern solar power history can be traced to the middle of the 19th century. During this time the industrial age was beginning to influence much of western Europe. The need for a combustible resources in massive quantities being one of them. This resource was coal and forward thinkers, inventors and scientists began to ponder what might happen to society should this resource run out. The results of this thinking is the modern solar power industry. This article will plot the history of solar power from this time to modernity.
From 1860 to 1880, Auguste Mouchout, a French engineer devised and developed a solar powered engine. The purpose of the engine was to convert solar heat into steam power. He saw the increased need for an energy resource given the sudden expansion of factories and railway lines during the early industrial revolution.
The authorities in France were extremely interested in the project and began to finance his efforts. This included further research. However as more mines were opened, coal, the primary energy source of the day became cheaper. This caused the French government to lose interest in the project and the financing was stopped.
Around this time, William Adams, an Englishman living in India, devised another solution. He built a rack with many small mirrors around a stationary boiler. This allowed him to get 2.5 horsepower out of the engine.
Charles Tellier started working on a solar powered system in 1885. By 1889 he had created one of the first solar collectors that are used today. He installed the collector on the rooftop. The energy generated was used to cool refrigeration units.
In 1903, Aubrey Eneas started working with solar power. He studied the work of Mouchout but expanded on the scale and efficiency of the original design. He produced a solar power engine that had commercial potential. To this extent, he managed to sell one to a Doctor in Arizona for nearly $2000. It became damaged soon after being transported and was never used. He managed to sell another engine for a similar figure but this was also never used as it became damaged in a hailstorm.
At the same time, Henry E. Willsie developed 2 solar plants that collected energy during the day for use at night. The plants used flat plate collectors that produced an output of around 15 horsepower.
In 1906, Frank Shuman made improvements of the original Willsie design. This increased the engine output to 33 horsepower. He continued to tweak his designs to the extent that he managed to get the engine up to 55 horsepower.
There were no note worthy developments until around 1954. Bell Laboratories researchers discovered the reaction of sunlight and silicon. This was investigated and lead to the creation of the photo voltaic (PV) cell.
Photovoltaic (PV) cells are the underlying principle behind the solar panels that you see on many a rooftop today. It creates direct current from sun light.
When the energy crises hit in the 1970's, it caused many people to look at how they got there energy resources. This increased the thinking that alternatives to fossil fuels had to be found so that the energy resources couldn't be used as a political bargaining chip again. This increased the interest in solar power. Research went into improving PV cells.
PV cells have come a long way in terms of cost and efficiency. This will only increase, as will new methods of creating solar power, in the future. Many governments and individuals are looking to embrace the technology and provide grants and subsidies for research and use of solar energy.
From 1860 to 1880, Auguste Mouchout, a French engineer devised and developed a solar powered engine. The purpose of the engine was to convert solar heat into steam power. He saw the increased need for an energy resource given the sudden expansion of factories and railway lines during the early industrial revolution.
The authorities in France were extremely interested in the project and began to finance his efforts. This included further research. However as more mines were opened, coal, the primary energy source of the day became cheaper. This caused the French government to lose interest in the project and the financing was stopped.
Around this time, William Adams, an Englishman living in India, devised another solution. He built a rack with many small mirrors around a stationary boiler. This allowed him to get 2.5 horsepower out of the engine.
Charles Tellier started working on a solar powered system in 1885. By 1889 he had created one of the first solar collectors that are used today. He installed the collector on the rooftop. The energy generated was used to cool refrigeration units.
In 1903, Aubrey Eneas started working with solar power. He studied the work of Mouchout but expanded on the scale and efficiency of the original design. He produced a solar power engine that had commercial potential. To this extent, he managed to sell one to a Doctor in Arizona for nearly $2000. It became damaged soon after being transported and was never used. He managed to sell another engine for a similar figure but this was also never used as it became damaged in a hailstorm.
At the same time, Henry E. Willsie developed 2 solar plants that collected energy during the day for use at night. The plants used flat plate collectors that produced an output of around 15 horsepower.
In 1906, Frank Shuman made improvements of the original Willsie design. This increased the engine output to 33 horsepower. He continued to tweak his designs to the extent that he managed to get the engine up to 55 horsepower.
There were no note worthy developments until around 1954. Bell Laboratories researchers discovered the reaction of sunlight and silicon. This was investigated and lead to the creation of the photo voltaic (PV) cell.
Photovoltaic (PV) cells are the underlying principle behind the solar panels that you see on many a rooftop today. It creates direct current from sun light.
When the energy crises hit in the 1970's, it caused many people to look at how they got there energy resources. This increased the thinking that alternatives to fossil fuels had to be found so that the energy resources couldn't be used as a political bargaining chip again. This increased the interest in solar power. Research went into improving PV cells.
PV cells have come a long way in terms of cost and efficiency. This will only increase, as will new methods of creating solar power, in the future. Many governments and individuals are looking to embrace the technology and provide grants and subsidies for research and use of solar energy.
About the Author
For more residential solar power information visit solarpowerappliances.com. You will find plenty on solar applications, including solar outdoor lighting and how to find rebates on solar systems.
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