Solar Cells

Computer Technology Timeline

Solar Cells

LG Electronics Solar Cells (2012)

Solar cells (also know as photovoltaic cells) are electrical devices that can convert the energy from light into electricity.

Solar cells are made from various types of semiconducting silicon wafers including
Crystalline silicon, Monocrystalline silicon & Polycrystalline silicon.

The Solar Cell, originally called the Solar Battery, was first invented by Bell Labs in 1954 and was patented by them as a "Solar Energy Converting Apparatus" in 1957.

The first uses of the Solar Cell were to power Space Satellites; the Vanguard I (1958), and the Telstar Communications Satellite (1962), followed by manned space vehicles; Soyuz I (1967), and Skylab (1973).

Other uses for Solar Cells would quickly develop including Solar powered wristwatches (1968), mathematical calculators (1978), and the first man-carrying solar powered plane, the Solar Riser (1979). GM's "Sunraycer" won the first world's Solar powered vehicle race (1987).

Rooftop mounted Solar cell panels continue to grow as a popular option for providing clean electricity to homes and businesses. Solar cells are often used in remote area facilities and homes, recreational vehicles, and on ocean going sailboats to provide battery recharging in places where electricity from power companies is simply not available.