Solar has Evolved

Solar energy is a term used to describe the light & heat given off by the sun. The human race have harnessed solar energy since 700bc below is a timeline of how we have used the power of the sun to help us evolve.

700BC: Magnifying glasses used to concentrate suns rays to make fire

200BC: Archimedes used the bronze shields of the Greek army to reflect the sun and set fire to the wooden ships from the Roman Empire who were besieging Syracuse.

20AD: The Chinese used mirrors to light their religious torches

100AD: Roman Baths had large south facing windows to let in the sun’s warmth

1767: The first solar collector was built & used to cook food during a South Africa expedition in 1830.

1839: Photovoltaic was discovered by a French scientist

1891: The first commercial solar water heater was patented

1905: Albert Einstein published his paper on photoelectric – along with his paper on his theory of relativity….

1921: Einstein won the Nobel Prize for his theories explaining the photoelectric effect.

1947: The first passive solar buildings are built in the USA as energy is scarce due to WW2

1954: Photovoltaic technology is born

1955: The first commercial building with solar water heating is built and has operated continuously to this day!

1958: Solar Power is utilised by the NASA Space Programme to provide energy for their satellites and is still used today.

1959: Sharp began developing Solar Cells

1963: Sharp Corporation develop practical Silicon Photovoltaic Modules

1981: First Solar powered aircraft flies the English Channel

1994: First solar cell developed which is greater than 30% efficiency

1996: Daimler Benz co- develop a thermal hot water system

2000: 33,000 solar cells are installed on each wing of the International Space Station

2001: Residential Solar Sales start to increase in Northern Europe

2004: Solar Fusion founded specialising in both Solar Hot Water and Photovoltaic Electric Solar Systems

2008: Solar Fusion became the most accredited solar company & the biggest solar installers of PV (photovoltaic) in the uk.

2009: Sharp release their latest technology which is more efficient & powerful than ever before.

In the future it is unlikely that there will be any major developments in solar panels as the latest thermal systems are 97% efficient which means that 97% of all radiated light is converted into solar energy and it is impossible to convert 100%. Therefore, to get maximum gain in solar it is vital that the all aspects of the installation are positioned correctly especially the panels and pipe run to get the maximum efficiency and generate the most energy possible.