The history of solar energy includes significant moments in the development of solar energy technology. Scientists, researchers, and governments have all contributed to the creation of solar energy. Here are some significant milestones in solar energy: Paul Macready built the first solar-powered plane. He also designed and built the first solar powered airplane. The development of German solar-powered cars continued the trend. With the invention of cheaper solar cell panels and more efficient ones, solar energy made its way into mainstream culture in the 1990s. Governmental policies have also supported the industry's development, including financial incentives.
Photovoltaic effect
The photovoltaic process is when two materials that are not related are hit by light. This frees electrons of their bound state, allowing them to cross the junction. This gives rise to a voltage and a negative charge on one side of the junction.
Selenium
Selenium (atomic number 34 on the periodic table) is a metal that can be made conductive by light. It can therefore be used to generate solar energy. This energy can then be converted into electricity without heat or moving components. Willoughby SMITH conducted numerous experiments with selenium in the late 1870s. A candle placed within an inch of the selenium bars could produce an electric current, according to Smith.
Charles Fritts
Solar panels are composed of solar cells placed in a frame. These frames collect sunlight and convert it to electricity. Charles Fritts developed the first commercially-available solar panel. Solar panels have been an important source for electricity since then.
Edmond Becquerel
In 1839, French physicist Edmond Becquerel discovered that when exposed to light, certain materials generate a voltage. His discoveries inspired a whole generation of scientists, inventors, and engineers to devise practical ways to harness sun energy.
Maria Telkes
Maria Telkes was born in Hungary. She studied physical chemistry at University of Budapest and later earned her doctorate in physical Chemistry. She also worked as an instructor at the University of Budapest. After graduation, she moved to the United States where she worked at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation as a Biophysicist. She developed a photoelectric instrument that could record brain waves through her work.
Credit for investment tax
You can get the Investment Tax Credit (ITC for solar energy) as a tax credit to cover the cost of installing solar energy systems in your home. The ITC is calculated based on the total cost of the system. It can be carried forward to future years. Businesses and homeowners can apply for the ITC. The credit is 30% of the total cost of a solar power system. The credit is not available for solar panels that are being leased.