The first solar panel

When was the first solar cell invented?

1954: The First Silicon Solar Cell by Bell Labs The first practical solar cell was developed in 1954 by Daryl Chapin, Calvin Fuller, and Gerald Pearson at Bell Labs. Made from silicon, the cell could convert sunlight into electricity with 6% efficiency—launching the modern solar array era.

How did the first solar panels come to be?

Let’s take a walk through history to explore how the first solar panels came to be. The Early Days of Photovoltaics In 1884, Charles Fritts, a New York-based inventor, embarked on a groundbreaking experiment that would lay the foundation for the future of solar energy.

What was the first commercially viable solar panel?

Bell Labs’ silicon solar cell achieved a 6% efficiency rate, making it the first commercially viable solar panel. This innovation was pivotal in the solar energy history, as it opened the door to practical applications like powering homes and businesses. One of the first major applications of solar panels was in space exploration.

Who was the first person to use solar panels?

Charles Fritts was the first person to generate electricity using solar panels—in 1884—but it would be another 70 years before they became efficient enough to be useful.