Solar Energy History
History
20 A.D.
Chinese document use of burning mirrors to light torches for religious purposes.
1767
Swiss scientist Horace de Saussure was credited with building the world’s first solar collector
1870-1910
Various uses of solar collection to power steam engines and pumps
1950s
Si Solar cells are invented
1970s
First concentrator work at Sandia
1980s
Thermal systems installed
First GaAs and multijunction approaches (Fraas @ Chevron and Boeing, Varian Associates)
Linear PV systems installed
SBM-II module designed
Alpha Solarco
1990s
Great Si cells are demonstrated > 24% (Swanson)
EPRI funds concentrators – Sunpower, Ammonix uses Si foundries
GaAs and GaInP/GaAs technology is maturing
