Solar energy is a type of renewable energy that is derived from the sun. It is the most abundant source of energy on Earth and has been used by humans for centuries. However, the modern use of solar energy is a relatively recent development. In this article, we will explore the history of solar energy and discuss the people and organizations that played a significant role in its creation in the United Kingdom.
The history of solar energy can be traced back to the 7th century BC when humans first used magnifying glasses to start fires by focusing sunlight. The ancient Greeks and Romans also used sunrooms to heat water for their baths. However, the first practical application of solar energy was in the 18th century when French physicist Edmond Becquerel discovered the photovoltaic effect. This was the process by which sunlight is converted into electricity.
In the 19th century, scientists continued to experiment with solar energy. In 1839, French physicist Alexandre Edmond Becquerel discovered the photovoltaic effect in a solid material. However, it was not until the 1950s that photovoltaic cells were developed that could convert enough sunlight into electricity to be practical.
One of the key figures in the development of solar energy was British engineer and inventor Frank Shuman. Shuman built the world’s first solar thermal power station in Egypt in 1913. The station used mirrors to focus sunlight onto a boiler, which produced steam to power a generator. Shuman’s solar power station was ahead of its time, and it was not until the 1970s that solar thermal power stations were built again.
Another important figure in the development of solar energy was British scientist William Grylls Adams. In 1876, Adams and his student Richard Day discovered the photovoltaic effect in selenium. They found that when selenium was exposed to light, it produced an electric current. This discovery was the basis for the development of the first solar cells.
In the 1950s, the United Kingdom’s Ministry of Defence began working with photovoltaic cells to power remote communication systems. This led to the development of a range of solar-powered products, including calculators and watches.
In the 1970s, the oil crisis sparked interest in renewable energy sources, including solar energy. The UK government established the Solar Energy Research Institute at Imperial College London in 1975 to research solar energy. The institute was later renamed the Centre for Photovoltaic Devices and Systems.
In the 1980s, the UK government established a feed-in tariff scheme to incentivize the development of solar energy. The scheme allowed individuals and businesses to sell excess electricity generated by their solar panels back to the grid at a premium rate.
Today, solar energy is a growing industry in the UK. The country has invested heavily in solar energy, and the number of solar installations has grown rapidly in recent years. In 2018, the UK generated 3.8% of its electricity from solar energy, and this is expected to increase in the coming years.
In conclusion, the development of solar energy in the UK has been a collaborative effort involving scientists, engineers, and government agencies. The pioneers of solar energy, such as Frank Shuman and William Grylls Adams, laid the groundwork for the modern solar industry. Today, the UK is a leader in solar energy, and the technology is becoming increasingly important as the country looks to transition to a low-carbon economy.
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