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Physics behind solar cells discovered
Research and discoveries regarding the photovoltaic effect, Selenium wafers, ultraviolet light effects on electron movement, photoelectric effect, single-crystal Silicon growth, p-n junction growth, and photovoltaic effect in Cadmium. https://www.solargain.com.au/timeline-history-solar-power -
Photovoltaic Effect Discovered in solid Selenium
Adams and Day observed the photovoltaic effect in solid Selenium. They were able to successfully start a current in the Selenium via just a light source. The photovoltaic effect and the photoconductivity of Selenium had already been discovered in 1839 by Becquerel. http://www.pveducation.org/pvcdrom/manufacturing/first-photovoltaic-devices -
First Solar Cell
American inventor Charles Fritts developed the first solar cell. He did this by applying Selenium to a thin layer of gold. This solar cell was able to achieve only 1% efficiency. https://www.solargain.com.au/timeline-history-solar-power -
Photoelectric Effect
Albert Einstein publishes his paper on theory behind the "photoelectric effect" and Robert Milikan provides experimental proof of Einstein's theory. http://spiff.rit.edu/classes/phys314/lectures/photoe/photoe.html -
First Photovoltaic Solar Cell
Bell Labs scientists David Chapin, Calvin Fuller, and Gerald Pearson created the world's first photovoltaic solar cell using Silicon. This was the first solar cell that could convert sunlight into electrical power and had an efficiency of 6%. The key innovation here was doping; they diffused Boron into Silicon on a solar cell the size of a small coin. https://cleantechnica.com/2012/03/21/history-of-solar/ -
First Commercial Solar cell
Hoffman Electronics semiconductor division creates a 2% efficient commercial solar cell for $25/cell ($1,785/watt). This then becomes 10% in 1959, which allows for the efficient use of solar cells commercially. Successful products included PV-powered dollar bill changers and devices that decoded computer punch cards and tape. https://cleantechnica.com/2012/03/21/history-of-solar/ -
First bilayered device
David Kearns and Melvin Calvin create a bilayered device using magnesium phthalocyanine and oxidized tetramethyl p-phenylenediamine. This device had a power output of 3 x 10^-12 W. http://scitation.aip.org/content/aip/journal/jcp/29/4/10.1063/1.1744619 -
Thin Film Solar Panels
The US National Renewable Energy Laboratory has created thin film solar panels that have reached 19.9% efficiency that are beginning to rival silicon-based versions. These solar cells are thin and flexible, allowing for reduced costs and more versatility in applications. http://www.treehugger.com/natural-sciences/15-photovoltaics-solar-power-innovations-you-must-see.html -
Dawn of the Grid
The first grid-supported photovoltaic system is completed and installed in California by Pacific Gas & Electric. This the world's first 'distributed power' effort and was a 500-kilowatt system. http://www.affordable-solar.com/learning-center/solar-basics/solar-history/ -
Moth Eyes Biomimicry
Moths have eyes with textured patterns, which cuts reflective glare and absorbs far more light so that they can see better at night. Researchers have taken the non-reflective eyes of the moth and created panels that reflect less than 2% of light that beat the previous solution of anti-reflective coating layers. Companies have creates tiny patterns in the silicon on the solar cell using plasma. This has improved performance by as much as 20%. https://rgsenergy.com/innovations-in-solar-panels/
