!: Solar Energy - A brief history of the United States

The technology for obtaining significant mild electrical current from the sun has been around since the mid-1950s when the first solar cell was created by Daryl Chapin, Calvin Fuller and Gerald Pearson at Bell Labs - which developed the first solar cell capable of generating enough energy from the sun to run everyday electrical equipment. A silicon solar cell that was produced was 6% efficiency. They were then able to increase the effectiveness of one percent.

Whoever is aware ofthe ability of sunlight into electrical harness just remember Jr. High School Science class that electricity produced by a solar cell is only valid if the sun shines directly on the photovoltaic cell.

With the basic knowledge of solar cells produces direct (non-fluctuating) current, it is logical that there are two obstacles that are very expensive in the path of solar energy practices: 1) How to convert the current direct current (DC) to alternatingCurrent (AC) so that it can be used in ordinary households and 2) how to store energy practically use it when necessary, after sunset or party behind the clouds.

At that time, solar technology has evolved and has become cheaper to produce, the infrastructure of our country had already established and built around the standard 110 volts AC and 15 amps. A big expense for the use of solar cells is the requirement to use expensive power converters to convert from DC toCA.

With the help of Exxon Corporation in 1970, a much cheaper solar cell was designed by Dr. Elliot Berman. His project has lowered the price of solar energy produced from $ 100 per watt to $ 20 per watt. Although still expensive, it was a giant leap for the feasibility of using solar energy practices

In 1976, NASA Lewis Research Center has begun installing the first installation of PV systems on all continents of the world except Australia. Thesesystems provided power for the refrigeration of vaccines, room lighting, lighting, medical, telecommunications, water pumping grinding grains, and television in the classroom. The project ran 1976-1985, and again from 1992 until its completion in 1995. When the project was completed, 83 autonomous systems have been established. Those areas where systems have been installed are obviously devoid of practical systems for the network.

In July this year, the U.S. Energy Research and DevelopmentAdministration, which was the predecessor of the Department of Energy has launched the Solar Energy Research Institute. And in 1977, total manufacturing output exceeding 500 kW photovoltaic (kW). It was just enough energy to light 5,000 lamps, 100 watts.

In 1982, the first station megawatt-scale PV power (PV) came into operation on hispida, California. The system capacity was 1 MW, and was developed by ARCO Solar. The Ministry of Energy and Industryconsortium began operating Solar One, a demonstration project of 10 megawatts receiver central California, which established the viability of power tower systems. During this same period, an Australian named Hans Tholstrup drove the first solar car - Entrepreneur quiet - nearly 2,800 miles between Sydney and Perth in 20 days. This was 10 days faster than the petrol car is first turned. Tholstrup is the founder of a race of solar cars world-class, the World Solar AustraliaChallenge.

Two other important since 1982 that have shaped the history of solar energy, German Volkswagen began testing PV arrays mounted on the roofs of Dasher station wagons, which generated 160 watts of electricity for use in ignition system, and South Florida Residential Solar Energy Center Experiment Station began supporting the U.S. Department of Energy program for photovoltaics in the application of systems engineering. Global production of photovoltaic panelsthen exceeded 9.3 megawatts.

In 1986, the largest factory in the world of solar thermal is commissioned in Kramer Junction, California. The solar array contains rows of mirrors that concentrate solar energy in a system of pipes for circulating a coolant. The fluid used to produce steam, the power of a conventional turbine to generate electricity. While

Researchers at the University of South Florida has developed a 15.9% efficient thin film solar cellscadmium telluride, breaking the barrier of 15% for this technology, antenna systems, 7.5 kilowatts prototype that includes a concentrator membrane stretched forward began its operations in Florida.

The first solar station for the distribution of electricity produced from solar was Pacific Gas & Electric (PG & E) in 1993 in Kerman, California. The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (formerly the Solar Energy Research Institute) has completed construction of its facility in Research on Solar Energyand be recognized as the most energy efficient of all U.S. government buildings in the world.

In 1994, the first dish solar array using a free piston Stirling engine is connected to a power grid and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory has developed a solar cell made of gallium indium phosphide and gallium arsenide. This cell development has been the first to achieve a conversion efficiency of more than thirty percent.

Two years later, but not in the U.S., but worth itciting a plane solar, Icarus, flew to Germany. The wings and the wings and tail were covered by 3,000 highly efficient solar cells. The total area is 21 square meters.

The Ministry of Energy and a consortium of industry are beginning to function Solar Two - an u PDAte to a concentration tower solar energy solar. At the end of the project in 1999, Solar Two demonstrated how solar energy can be stored efficiently using molten salts economically so that power canbe produced even when the sun does not shine, but also stimulates the commercial interest in molten salt power [Tower http://www.energylan.sandia.gov/sunlab/snapshot/stfuture.htm #] Tour Technology

On 6 August 1998, a solar-powered airplane, remote control, "Pathfinder", set a record altitude of 80,000 feet after his 38th consecutive flight to Monrovia, California. It's more important that any work prop-to-day.

The highest skyscraper in the city that was built in the late 90 '- 4 Times SquareNew York - are more energy-efficient features than any other office towers. The building includes integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) panels on 37 of 43 floors in the south and west facing facades to produce part of the energy of the building.

The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) and Spectrolab, Inc. has developed a solar cell from 32.3% effective. This cell is very effective because of the three layers of photovoltaic material combined in a single cell.This cell was more effective and more practical when used in devices with lenses or mirrors to concentrate sunlight. Those systems hub [http://www.environment.gov.au/settlements/renewable/recp/pv/pubs/pv2.pdf] are mounted on trackers that keep them pointed toward the sun. NREL has also produced a record result in the niche cells in thin layers. It is the increased efficiency of more than 1% to 18.8%.

Today, oil prices top $ 126/bbl, more and morepeople are seeking alternative sources of energy to meet its energy needs. Since the use of cooking oil as fuel in diesel vehicles to use wind and solar energy at home, people everywhere are realizing they can no longer rely on the Middle East, or even their own governments to properly regulate energy.

Individuals must be proactive in their efforts to provide energy. Who knows, it might be possible one day to invent the car in the removal and replacement of batteries,similar to the warehouse forklift. extra batteries to be charged by solar panel during the day to replace the battery spent the night. Just in time to go the next day at work.