PV History
160 Years of Photovoltaic Technology
Most people are surprised to learn that photovoltaic technology actually dates back over 160 years. The basic science was first discovered in 1839 but the pace of advancement really accelerated starting in the 1950s with work at Bell Labs and the US efforts to respond to the Soviet launch of Sputnik.
1839
Experimenting with metal electrodes and electrolyte, nineteen-year-old French physicist Alexandre Edmond Becquerel observes a physical phenomenon allowing light-electricity conversion
1883
Charles Fritts, an American inventor, describes the first solar cells made from selenium wafers
1888
Edward Weston receives first US patent for "solar cell"
1901
Nikola Tesla receives US patent for "method of utilizing, and apparatus for the utlization of, radiant energy"
Albert Einstein Makes His Mark
It wasn't until Albert Einstein wrote his 1905 paper on the photoelectric effect: "On a Heuristic Viewpoint Concerning the Production and Transformation of Light."
1905
Albert Einstein publishes paper on theory behind “photoelectric effect” along with paper on relativity theory
1916
Robert Millikan provided experimental proof of Einstein's theory on photoelectric effect
1922
Einstein wins Nobel prize for 1904 paper on photoelectric effect
The Commercial Solar Age Begins
Bell Laboratories, while working on silicon semiconductors, discovered silicon had photoelectric properties and quickly developed Si solar cells, achieving 6% efficiency and early satellites were the primary use for these first solar cells.
1954
Bell Labs exhibits first high-power silicon PV cell. The New York Times forcasts that solar cells will eventually lead to a source of "limitless energy of the sun."
1955
Western Electric sells commercial licenses for silicon PV technologies; early successful products include PV-powered dollar bill changers and devices that decoded computer punch cards and tape.
1958
PV array powers radios on US Vanguard I space satellite
1963
Sharp Corporation produces a viable photovoltaic module of silicon solar cells. Japan installs a 242-watt PV array on a lighthouse, the world's largest array at that time.
1966
NASA launches Orbiting Astronomical Observatory with a 1-kilowatt PV array
1970s
Research drives PV costs down 80%, allowing for applications such as offshore navigation warning lights and horns lighthouses, railroad crossings, and remote use where utility-grid connections are too costly
1973
Solarex Corp is founded by two ex-NASA scientists who worked on the development of satellite PV systems
1974
Japan formulates “Project Sunshine” to fuel PV research and development
1976
Kyocera Corp begins production of Silicon ribbon crystal solar modules
1977
US Dept. of Energy establishes US Solar Energy Research Institute in Golden, CO
1980s
Continued improvements in efficiency and cost enables PV to become a popular power source for consumer electronic devices, such as calculators, watches, radios, lanterns and other small battery charging applications
Progressive Governments Use Subsidies to Speed Adoption
To spur adoption, Germany and then Japan initiated considerable subsidy programs and now those markets exist largely without subsidies. In 2007, California leads the US with a similar 10-year program.
1990
Germany launches $500MM “100,000 Solar Roofs” program. The Cathedral of Magdeburg installs solar cells on the roof, marking the first installation on a church in East Germany
1991
President George H. W. Bush directs the U.S. Department of Energy to estalish the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (transerring the existing Solar Energy Research Institute) in Sandia, NM
1994
Japan begins "70,000 Solar Roofs" PV subsidy program
1998
California initiates $112MM “Emerging Renewables Program” to fund rebates for <30 kW residential and commercial PV systems
2002
CA Public Utilities Commission begins $100MM “Self Generation Incentive Program” for >30 kW PV projects
2004
Five manufacturers — Sharp, Kyocera, Shell Solar, BP Solar and RWE SCHOTT Solar — account for 60 percent of the PV market. GE buys Astropower, the last remaining US independent PV manufacturer
2006
The CA PUC demonstrates leadership by outlining what will become the California Solar Initiative (CSI), a 10-year, $3 billion solar subsidy program.
2007
The CSI program begins and is well received by the market, with higher than expected application volume.
Global Markets & Global Impacts
2009
Global Financial Crisis temporarily slows solar demand, resulting in over-supply and falling prices
2010
Chinese manufacturers expand solar cell and module manufacturing creating added global price pressure
2016
US reaches 1 million solar installations
2018
First dedicated solar panel recylcing plant opens in France
2019
Apple, Amazon, Target, and Wal-Mart top the list of US corporate solar users
2021
Battery storage paired with ~10% of residential solar offerign homeowners with limited duration backup power
2022
Worldwide installed capacity of solar power has reached 1 terawatt
2023
Your company joins the fast-growing list of California business leaders who adopt solar power for their business with Sunlight Electric