Solar panels are an essential component of renewable energy. They have become a popular choice for those looking to generate their electricity and reduce their carbon footprint. The invention of solar panels is a significant milestone in the history of renewable energy. In the United Kingdom, the use of solar panels has grown exponentially in recent years, and it is essential to understand when and how they were invented.
The history of solar panels dates back to the 1800s when French physicist Alexandre-Edmond Becquerel discovered the photovoltaic effect. The photovoltaic effect is the phenomenon where light is converted into electricity by certain materials. However, it was not until the 1950s that the first solar cell was invented.
The first solar cell was made by Bell Laboratories in the USA in 1954. It was a small device that could produce enough electricity to power a small toy. The solar cell was made of silicon, which is still the primary material used to make solar panels today.
The first solar panel was invented shortly after the first solar cell. In 1956, the first solar panel was created by American engineer Russell Ohl. The solar panel was made of silicon and was used to power radios and other small devices.
However, the first solar panel was not efficient enough to be used on a large scale. It was not until the 1970s that solar panels became more efficient and cost-effective. The oil crisis of the 1970s led to a renewed interest in renewable energy, and solar panels became a popular choice for generating electricity.
In the United Kingdom, the use of solar panels began to grow in the 1990s. The government introduced the Non-Fossil Fuel Obligation (NFFO) in 1990, which required electricity suppliers to purchase a certain amount of electricity from renewable sources. This led to an increase in the installation of solar panels in homes and businesses.
In the early 2000s, the government introduced the Renewable Obligation (RO), which required electricity suppliers to generate a certain percentage of their electricity from renewable sources. This further increased the use of solar panels in the United Kingdom.
Today, solar panels are a common sight in the United Kingdom. They are used to generate electricity for homes, businesses, and even large-scale solar farms. The technology has continued to evolve, and solar panels are now more efficient and cost-effective than ever before.
In conclusion, the invention of solar panels can be traced back to the 1950s when the first solar cell was created. However, it was not until the 1970s that solar panels became more efficient and cost-effective. The use of solar panels in the United Kingdom began to grow in the 1990s, and today they are a common sight. With the continued advancement of technology, it is likely that solar panels will become even more efficient and cost-effective in the future, making them an essential component of renewable energy.
Leave a Reply