The History of Solar Energy
The history of solar power energy dates back centuries. The use of the sun's energy for heat and light has been documented as far back as ancient Egypt, where the sun was revered as a deity and used to dry crops and warm homes. The Greeks and Romans also used solar energy, sunrooms, and south-facing windows to capture the sun's heat. However, in the 19th century, the first practical applications of solar energy emerged. In 1839, French scientist Alexandre Edmond Becquerel discovered the photovoltaic effect, which describes how certain materials can generate an electric current when exposed to light. This discovery laid the foundation for developing solar cells, which would eventually become a key component of solar power systems. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, scientists and inventors worldwide began experimenting with solar cells and developing ways to use them to generate electricity. In 1883, Charles Fritts created the first solar cells made of selenium, which...