Solar Industry Tmln
112 events in this timeline
Showing 51–100 of 112
- 1873-1876: Selenium Shown to be Photoconductive, Generates Electricity Using Sunlight
- 1880: Bolometer Invented
- 1883: Inventor Describes Selenium Solar Cells
- 1887: Scientist Shows that UV Light Alters Electrical Voltage
- 1891: Baltimore Inventor Patents First Solar Water Heater
- 1905: Einstein Writes about Photoelectric Effect
- 1909-1918: New Solar Water Heater Design Dramatically Increases Length of Time Water Remains Hot, Sells Well
- 1916: Scientist Proves Photovoltaic Effect
- 1930s - 1940s: Florida Experiences Brief Boom in Solar Water Heater Sales, Ended by Aggressive Marketing Campaign by Electric Company
- 1931: Edison Advocates for Solar Energy over Fossil Fuels
- 1940: Bell Lab Researcher Inadvertently Discovers ‘P-N Junction,’ Basis of Modern Solar Cells
- 1947: Glass Company Publishes Book Touting Solar Power for Homes
- 1954: Bell Labs Creates First Silicon Photovoltaic Cell
- 1955: Western Electric Sells PV Licenses
- 1956: First Commercial Office Building Using Solar Energy Constructed in New Mexico
- 1956-1958: Scientists Discuss, Create PV Cells for Orbital Satellites
- 1958-1962: US, Russian Satellites Use Solar Cells to Power Systems
- 1960: Wisconsin Firm Begins Producing Commercial PV Cells
- 1963: Japan Installs Huge PV Array on Lighthouse
- 1965: First Satellite Solar Power Station Design Patented
- 1966: NASA Launches Solar-Powered Astronomical Observatory
- 1969: France Builds Odeilo Solar Furnace
- 1970s: Scientists Design Less Costly Solar Cell, Used in Many Applications
- 1972: France Installs Solar-Powered Television Station in Niger
- 1972: Institute of Energy Conversion Established
- 1973: Greek Navy Uses Focused Sunlight to Set Wooden Boat Afire
- 1973: University of Delaware Builds Solar-Powered Residence
- 1976-1995: NASA Installs Solar Power Systems Around Globe
- 1977: National Renewable Energy Laboratory Launched
- 1978: NASA Powers Indian Village with Solar Energy
- 1981: Inventor Builds Solar-Powered Plane, Flies It across English Channel
- 1982: California Town Begins Drawing Electricity from Solar-Powered Station
- 1982: ’Solar One’ Produces Ten Megawatts of Electricity
- 1982: First Solar-Powered Car Makes Record-Breaking Run in Australia
- 1982: Volkswagen Tests Solar Power for Station Wagon
- 1983: Central California Solar Power Substation Powers 2,500 Homes
- 1983: Solar House Operates in Hudson River Valley
- 1986: Largest Solar-Thermal Power Facility Opens in California
- 1988: Solar Power Technologies Patented
- 1993: California Utility Begins Operating Grid-Supported Solar Electricity System
- 1994: NREL Constructs Efficient Solar Cell
- 1994: Solar Energy Research Facility Completed
- 1996: Solar-Powered Aircraft Flies over Germany
- 1996: US DOE Launches ‘Solar Two’ Facility
- 1998: Solar Shingles Designed to Replace Conventional Roofing Material
- 1999: New York Skyscraper Incorporates Solar Panels for Energy
- 1999: New PV Cell Breaks Efficiency Records for Conversion
- 2000: First Solar Begins Production of Solar Panels
- 2000: Space Station Equipped with Powerful Solar Array
- 2000: Colorado Family Installs Largest Residential Solar Power System