The Birth of Solar Power
Ever since the beginning of time, the sun has been an important factor of survival for the species of the Earth. For without it, there would be no sunshine, no warmth, no vegetation, no animals, and certainly, no us.
Solar power has been around for as long as we, as humans, can remember and there’s no doubt that it has been around for many centuries prior to our existence.
What exactly do I mean by that?
Long before our ingenious development to use the sun’s light rays to generate power for our household appliances and electrical needs, we have used the sun to keep us warm simply by building our homes in the best position which allows for maximum heat absorption. This position of direction faces the South.
In fact, without solar rays to allow for photosynthesis, we could not exist. No sun = no food. No food = no energy. No energy = starvation. And of course, starvation = no life.
Today, we continue to be dependent on the sun on a much greater scale.
Ever since the 1700s, scientists have been experimenting and exploring the effects of the sun in different conditions. For instance, glass is a material, that when hit by the rays of the sun in an extended period of time, creates a concentrated area of energy into a single point or area.
Ever wonder why greenhouses tend to be made of transparent glass? Sure, there’s an aesthetic appeal for visitors, but the main reason is because the glass allows the plants and soil to absorb the solar radiation that is drawn in from the sun – the perfect condition for certain plants to grow and flourish.
Remember the magnifying glass? How about the magnifying glass and the chase for the ant under the sun? If you don’t, great! If you do, shame on you! Don’t worry, I’m not mad nor do I think you’re crazy, but the ant sure isn’t happy. Kidding aside, the sun can be quite dangerous if not supervised for safety so be careful where you point your magnifying glass.
The Rise of Solar Power
In 1839, Alexandre-Edmond Becquerel, a French physicist, found and observed the first photovoltaic effect by concentrating the sun’s rays onto different materials. The outcome yielded a tiny electrical charge.
This event; however, did not establish the creation of solar cells, but it certainly paved the way to it.
By the 1950s, AT&T Bell Laboratories produced the first silicon solar cell. They then used these solar cells to power satellites. Presently, solar cells remain a valuable method for powering space machines and devices.
As we know, today, solar cells play a positive and progressive role in the energy and power industry. Used to power the electrical devices in residential and commercial buildings among other things, solar cells allow for long-term savings and a cleaner environmental impact for the future.
Think about it.
The day we can permanently move away from limited fossil fuels toward a healthier environment, rich in the everlasting resource, the sun, is the day we can rejoice as a community across the world.
