Solar power solutions have been used by various civilizations all over the world since ancient times. These systems have been used to heat dwellings, heat water and recently solar power has been used to generate electricity as well. Understanding where these various solutions began and how they have changed over the years is vital to the continued improvement of this technology.
The use of the sun as a power source dates back to ancient times and has been used by cultures all over the world ever since. The history of solar power begins when the earliest use of solar power was to warm dwellings by building them into the side of hills where the sun could warm them during the day. This heat would then be released all evening to keep the dwellings warm. This form of passive solar heating is still in use today with minor improvements through the years as it has been adapted for modern residential homes. The Romans were so serious about the harnessing and use of solar power that they constructed large buildings with southern facing windows to capture the heat from the sun. The water used in their bathhouses was also heated by the sun and they designed elaborate collectors to capture this heat to warm the water with solar power. These early societies even passed laws guaranteeing certain solar rights to ensure a homes clear access to this essential solar resource.
These crude collection schemes were later refined in the mid 1700's by a Swiss inventor named Horace de Saussure who invented the first commercial solar collector. He called it a hotbox and it was used to cook food using nothing but sunlight for fuel. Many of the techniques pioneered as part of this invention are still being used today in modern solar water heating systems. In fact the first commercial solar water heater was produced in 1891 by an inventor named Clarence Kemp that was based on some of the same principles used in this original hotbox.
This brief history of solar power continues with the discovery of the photovoltaic effect in 1839 by Edmond Becquerel. He noticed that certain materials will produce a small electrical current when exposed to sunlight. This single discovery gave birth to the modern PV technology used in home solar power systems available today. Even though this initial discovery was little more than a scientific exhibition, the concepts he discovered have been improved and refined throughout solar power history to allow these PV home solar power systems to provide a good deal of free power from sunlight.
This chapter in solar power history got another significant boost when an American inventor named Charles Fritts made the first solar cells out of silicon wafers instead of selenium in 1883. This single discovery in solar power history made these home solar power systems more efficient and affordable than ever. This was also a historic event in the history of solar power because the older solar cells made of selenium were not safe for commercial production with the manufacturing techniques available at the time.
The development of the silicon crystal line of solar cells continued until a Polish scientist named Jan Czochralski developed a technique in 1918 for growing single crystal silicon. This is far superior to older types of silicon and is several times more efficient than anything that had been available up until this point. This one single event made solar power for homes a reality by allowing modern solar panels to generate a large amount of power from simple sunlight. Modern solar cells are created in much the same way today and through the addition of other doping agents have increased their efficiency several time that of these earlier models.
Unveiling the Solar Power Inverter: Your Gateway to Renewable Energy
Harnessing the sun's energy to power our homes is a smart and sustainable choice. At the core of this green revolution is the solar power inverter, a device that transforms the sun's rays into usable electricity for our daily needs. But the role of the solar power inverter extends beyond mere conversion; it's a dynamic component that optimizes energy use, manages storage, and even earns you credits from excess production. Dive into the world of solar power inverters to understand why they're indispensable in the quest for clean energy.
The Lower Cost Of Solar Panels Helps To Make Solar Power A Reality.
The cost of solar panels is less than ever before and they also represent a better value for homeowners. They can typically produce far more power than older panels and will last years longer on a typical home as well. Choosing the right solar panel for your home can save you money and will help produce the power you need.
Why Should I Hire A Solar Panel Installer Instead of Installing The System Myself?
While installing a solar power system on your home yourself may seem like a great idea initially, there are many good reasons to use a professional solar installer. They can provide the best installation possible in the least amount of time and can actually save you money on most installations.
