The discovery of solar panels can be attributed to the work of several scientists and researchers over a period of many years. However, the history of solar panels can be traced back to the 19th century, when French physicist Edmond Becquerel discovered the photovoltaic effect in 1839. This effect is the process by which sunlight is converted into electricity using certain materials, such as silicon.
Despite this early discovery, it was not until the mid-20th century that solar panels began to be developed for practical use. One of the key figures in the development of solar panels was American engineer Russell Ohl, who in 1941 invented the silicon solar cell, which was the first device capable of converting sunlight into electricity.
Another important figure in the development of solar panels was American engineer and inventor Daryl Chapin, who along with his colleagues Calvin Fuller and Gerald Pearson, developed the first practical solar cell in 1954. This cell was made of silicon and had an efficiency of around 6%.
It was not until the 1960s that solar panels began to be used for practical applications. One of the earliest uses of solar panels was in space exploration, where they were used to power satellites and other spacecraft. The first satellite to be powered by solar panels was the Vanguard 1, which was launched by the United States in 1958.
In the United Kingdom, the use of solar panels began to gain traction in the 1970s, when the country was hit by an oil crisis that led to a surge in interest in renewable energy sources. However, it was not until the 1990s that solar panels began to be widely used in the country, as the government introduced incentives to encourage their use.
Today, the use of solar panels in the UK has grown significantly, with over one million homes and businesses now using them to generate electricity. The country is also home to several large-scale solar power plants, including the 46 MW Landmead Solar Farm in Oxfordshire and the 43 MW Westmill Solar Park in Wiltshire.
In recent years, there has been a growing focus on the development of new, more efficient solar panel technologies. One of the most promising of these is perovskite solar cells, which have the potential to be much cheaper and more efficient than existing silicon-based cells.
In conclusion, while the discovery of solar panels can be attributed to the work of several scientists and researchers over many years, it was the work of Russell Ohl, Daryl Chapin, and their colleagues that laid the groundwork for the practical use of solar panels. Today, the use of solar panels has grown significantly in the UK, and the country is home to several large-scale solar power plants. As research into new, more efficient solar panel technologies continues, it is likely that the use of solar energy will only continue to grow in the years to come.
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