Timeline of Solar Cells - How we came to where we are today with solar cell efficiency

Timeline of solar cells reveals the exciting history of photovoltaic systems and how we reached the technology that we have today. As technology improves, solar energy becomes more cost effective and more and more entities are making the switch based on economics and environmental concerns.

The timeline dates back to the 1800s when a French physicist named Edmund Becquerel performed an experiment with two electrodes and noted the photovoltaic effect. After this Willoughby Smith and then Adams and Day experimented with selenium. In 1883, American Charles Fritts made solar cells from selenium. Heinrich Hertz experimented with a spark jumping between two electrodes in 1887.

The twentieth century began with Einstein publishing a paper on the photoelectric effect. Further experiments took place as a barrier layer in PV devices was discovered in 1914. This led to Millikan proving experimentally that there was a photoelectric effect. The process for the development of single-crystal silicon was developed in 1918.

In the 1950s silicone solar cells were made because they resulted in the creation of free electrons when exposed to sunlight. These free electrons were captured and turned into electrical current in 1954 by Chapin, Fuller and Pearson. This was the first solar battery and in 1955, Western Electric began selling licenses for silicone PV technology and solar energy began to be used in satellites and grids.

The second half of the century saw greater use of solar energy, especially in satellites and solar panels were being installed for residential use during the 1970s. Advances in technology led to more efficient solar panels, and as the cost came down, more solar energy systems began to be installed.