Solar panels have become an increasingly popular way of generating renewable energy across the world. The United Kingdom (UK) has been one of the countries that has invested heavily in solar energy, with the number of solar installations increasing rapidly in recent years. But who created solar panels and how did they come about?
The history of solar panels dates back to the 19th century when scientists discovered the photovoltaic effect. This is the process by which certain materials, when exposed to light, produce a flow of electrons, thereby generating an electric current. The first solar cell was created in 1883 by Charles Fritts, an American inventor who used selenium as the semiconductor material.
However, it was not until the 1950s that the first modern solar panels were invented. This was due to the development of silicon-based semiconductors, which were more efficient at converting sunlight into electricity. The first silicon solar cell was created by Bell Labs in the US in 1954. This breakthrough paved the way for the development of solar panels as we know them today.
The first commercial solar panels were produced in the 1960s by Hoffman Electronics, a US-based company. These panels were used mainly for space missions, as they were lightweight and durable enough to withstand the harsh conditions of space. It was not until the 1970s that solar panels started to be used on Earth, mainly for remote locations where it was difficult or expensive to connect to the grid.
In the UK, the use of solar panels began to gain popularity in the 1980s, particularly for off-grid applications such as powering remote buildings and telecommunications equipment. However, it was not until the 2000s that the UK government started to actively promote the use of solar panels as a way of reducing carbon emissions and increasing energy security.
One of the companies that played a key role in the development of solar panels in the UK is Solarcentury. Founded in 1998 by Jeremy Leggett, a former Greenpeace campaigner, Solarcentury was one of the first companies to focus exclusively on solar power. The company has been involved in a number of landmark solar projects in the UK, including the installation of the largest solar park in the country at the time, in 2011.
Another key player in the UK solar industry is Sharp Solar, a subsidiary of the Japanese electronics company Sharp Corporation. Sharp Solar has been involved in a number of solar projects in the UK, including the installation of solar panels on the roof of the Olympic Stadium in London for the 2012 Olympics.
In recent years, the UK solar industry has faced challenges due to changes in government policy and reductions in subsidies for solar installations. However, the industry continues to grow, with the UK government setting a target of generating 40% of the country’s electricity from renewable sources by 2030.
In conclusion, the development of solar panels can be traced back to the 19th century, but it was not until the 1950s that the modern solar panel was invented. The first commercial solar panels were produced in the 1960s, mainly for space missions. In the UK, the use of solar panels started to gain popularity in the 1980s, but it was not until the 2000s that the government actively promoted their use. Solarcentury and Sharp Solar are two of the key players in the UK solar industry. Despite challenges, the industry continues to grow, with the UK government setting ambitious targets for renewable energy generation in the coming years.
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