HISTORY OF SOLAR ENERGY

 1839: Photovoltaic Effect Is Discovered

French scientist Edmond Becquerel first discovered the photovoltaic effect in 1839.
This process occurs when light is absorbed by a material and creates electrical voltage.
Most modern solar cells use silicon crystals to attain this effect.
 1873–1876: Selenium’s Photoconductivity Is Discovered
English electrical engineer Willoughby Smith discovered the photoconductivity
of selenium, meaning it becomes electrically conductive when it absorbs light. Three
years later, William Grylls Adams and Richard Evans Day learned that selenium could
produce electricity from light without heat or moving parts that could easily break down.
This discovery proved that solar power was easy to harvest and maintain, requiring fewer
parts than other energy sources — such as coal-fired plants.
 1883: First Solar Cell Is Created
New York inventor Charles Fritts created the first solar cell by coating selenium with a
thin layer of gold. This cell achieved an energy conversion rate of 1–2%. Most modern
solar cells work at an efficiency of 15–20%.
 1887: The Photoelectric Effect Is Observed
German physicist Heinrich Hertz first observed the photoelectric effect, where
light is used to free electrons from a solid surface (usually metal) to create power.
Contrary to expected results, Hertz found this process produced more power when
exposed to ultraviolet light, rather than more intense visible light. Albert Einstein later
received the Nobel Prize for further explaining the effect. Modern-day solar cells rely
on the photoelectric effect to convert sunlight into power.
 1953–1956: Silicon Solar Cells Are Produced Commercially
Physicists at Bell Laboratories discovered that silicon is more efficient than
selenium, creating the first practical solar cell — now 6% efficient. This discovery led
to solar cells capable of powering electrical equipment. In 1956, Western Electric
began selling commercial licenses for its silicon PV technologies, but the prohibitive
costs of silicon solar cells keep them from widespread market saturation.
 1958: Solar Energy Is Used In Space
After years of experiments to improve the efficiency and commercialization of
solar power, solar energy gained support when the government used it to power
space exploration equipment. The first solar-powered satellite, Vanguard 1, has
traveled more than 197,000 revolutions around Earth in the 50 years it has been in
orbit. This application paved the way for more research to decrease costs and
increase production.
 1970s: Research Drives Costs Down
As oil prices rose in the 1970s, demand for solar power increased. Exxon
Corporation financed research to create solar cells made from lower-grade silicon
and cheaper materials, pushing costs from $100 per watt to only $20–$40 per watt.
The federal government also passed several solar-friendly bills and initiatives and
created the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) in 1977.
 1982: The First Solar Parks Are Created
Arco Solar built the first solar park — basically a solar power plant — in
Hesperia, California, in 1982. This park generated 1 megawatt, or 1,000 kilowatts per
hour, while operating at full capacity. This could power a 100-kilowatt lightbulb for
10 hours. In 1983, Arco Solar built a second solar park in Carrizo Plains, California. At
the time, it was the largest collection of solar arrays in the world, containing 100,000
PV arrays that generated 5.2 megawatts at full capacity. While these plants fell into
disarray with oil’s return to popularity, they demonstrated the potential for
commercial solar power production.
 1995: Retractable RV Solar Panels Created
Solar research continued to expand into other commercial industries: Thomas
Faludy filed a patent in 1995 for a retractable awning with integrated solar cells. This
was one of the first times solar cells were used in recreational vehicles. Today, this
feature is a popular way to power RVs.
 1994–1999: Photovoltaic Conversion Reaches New Levels
In 1994, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory developed a new solar cell
from gallium indium phosphide and gallium arsenide that exceeded 30% conversion
efficiency. By the end of the century, the laboratory created thin-film solar cells that
converted 32% of the sunlight it collected into usable energy.
 2005: DIY Solar Panels Become Popular
As technology and efficiency of solar cells have increased, residential solar power
has become more popular. DIY solar panels started hitting the market in 2005 and
have become more prevalent with each new year. Today, there are many ways to
make your own solar panels, from putting together a solar panel kit to planning a solar
array.
 2015: Flexible Printed Solar Panels Hit the Market
Solar cells as this as paper can now be manufactured using an industrial printer
and made into products such as roof tiles or shingles. They have 20% power conversion
efficiency, and a single strip can produce up to 50 watts per square meter, making the
cost of residential solar energy lower than ever. This is also great news for the 1.3 billion
people in developing countries, as the strips are flexible and inexpensive to produce.
 2016: Sunless Solar Power Is Discovered
A research team from the University of California, Berkeley, and the Australian
National University discovered new properties of nanomaterial. One of these
properties is called magnetic hyperbolic dispersion, which means the material glows
when heated. If combined with thermophotovoltaic cells, it could turn heat into
electricity without the need for sunlight.
Solar power has come a long way in the past 200 years, from observing the
properties of light to finding new ways to convert it into power. This technology shows
no signs of slowing down — if anything, it is advancing at an unprecedented rate.
Stay up to date on the latest solar news and advances to decide if solar power is
right for you.
 What is Solar Energy?
Solar energy
refers to capturing the energy from the Sun and subsequently converting it into
electricity. We can then use that electricity to light up our homes, streets, and
businesses, and power our machines as well. We can also use the term solar
power with the same meaning.

Solar power plant

is based on the conversion of sunlight into electricity, either directly
using photovoltaics (PV), or indirectly using concentrated solar power (CSP).
Concentrated solar power systems use lenses, mirrors, and tracking systems to focus a
large area of sunlight into a small beam.
 Solar panels (also known
as "PV panels")
are used to convert light
from the sun, which is
composed of particles of
energy called "photons", into
electricity that can be used to
power electrical loads.
 Solar panels can be used
for a wide variety of
applications
including remote power
systems for cabins, telecom
munications
equipment, remote
sensing, and of course for
the production of
electricity by residential
and commercial solar
electric systems.
TYPES OF SOLAR CELLS
 Amorphous Silicon solar cell (a-Si)  Multi-junction solar cell (MJ)
 Biohybrid solar cell  Nanocrystal solar cell
 Cadmium telluride solar cell (CdTe)  Organic solar cell (OPV)
 Concentrated PV cell (CVP and HCVP)  Perovskite solar cell
 Copper indium gallium selenide solar  Photoelectrochemical cell (PEC)
cells (CI(G)S)
 Plasmonic solar cell
 Crystalline silicon solar cell (c-Si)
 Polycrystalline solar cell (multi-Si)
 Dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC)
 Quantum dot solar cell
 Gallium arsenide germanium solar
 Solid-state solar cell
cell (GaAs)
 Thin-film solar cell (TFSC)
 Hybrid solar cell
 Wafer solar cell, or wafer-based solar
 Luminescent solar concentrator cell (LSC)
cell crystalline
 Micromorph (tandem-cell using a-Si/μc-Si)
 Monocrystalline solar cell (mono-Si)
 SOLAR PANEL CATEGORIES:
 1St Generation Solar Panel
 2nd Generation Solar Panel
 3rd Generation Solar Panel
 1st Generation Solar Panels
These are the traditional types of solar
panels made of monocrystalline silicon or
polysilicon and are most commonly used in
conventional surroundings.

Monocrystalline Solar Panels (Mono-SI)

 This type of solar panels (made of
monocrystalline silicon) is the purest one. You
can easily recognize them from the uniform
dark look and the rounded edges. The
silicon’s high purity causes this type of solar
panel has one of the highest efficiency rates,
with the newest ones reaching above 20%.
 Monocrystalline panels have a high power
output, occupy less space, and last the
longest. Of course, that also means they are
the most expensive of the bunch. Another
advantage to consider is that they tend to
be slightly less affected by high
temperatures compared to polycrystalline
panels.
Polycrystalline Solar Panels (Poly-SI)
 You can quickly distinguish these
panels because this type of solar
panels has squares, its angles are
not cut, and it has a blue,
speckled look. They are made by
melting raw silicon, which is
a faster and cheaper process than
that used for monocrystalline
panels.
 This leads to a lower final price but
also lower efficiency (around 15%),
lower space efficiency, and
a shorter lifespan since they are
affected by hot temperatures to a
greater degree. However, the
differences between mono- and
polycrystalline types of solar panels
are not so significant and the
choice will strongly depend on
your specific situation. The first
option offers a slightly higher space
efficiency at a slightly higher price
but power outputs are basically the
same.
2nd Generation Solar Panels:
 These cells are different types of thin film solar
cells and are mainly used for photovoltaic
power stations, integrated in buildings or
smaller solar power systems.
Thin-Film Solar Cells (TFSC)
 If you are looking for a less expensive option,
you might want to look into thin-film. Thin-film
solar panels are manufactured by placing
one or more films of photovoltaic material
(such as silicon, cadmium or copper) onto a
substrate. These types of solar panels are
the easiest to produce and economies of
scale make them cheaper than the
alternatives due to less material being
needed for its production.
 They are also flexible—which opens a lot
of opportunities for alternative applications—
and is less affected by high temperatures. The
main issue is that they take up a lot of space,
generally making them unsuitable for
residential installations. Moreover, they carry
the shortest warranties because their lifespan
is shorter than the mono- and polycrystalline
types of solar panels. However, they can be a
good option to choose among the different
types of solar panels where a lot of space is
available.
Amorphous Silicon Solar Cell (A-Si)
 Have you ever used a solar
powered pocket calculator? Yes?
Then you have definitely seen
these types of solar panels before.
The amorphous silicon solar cell is
among the different types of solar
panels, the one that is used mainly
in such pocket calculators. This
type of solar panel uses a triple
layered technology, which is the
best of the thin film variety.
 Just to give a brief impression of
what “thin” means, in this case,
we’re talking about a thickness
of 1 micrometre (one millionth of a
meter). With only 7% efficiency
rate, these cells are less
effective than crystalline silicon
ones—that have an efficiency rate
of circa 18%—but the advantage
is the fact that the A-Si-Cells are
relatively low in cost.
3rd Generation Solar Panels
 3rd generation solar panels include a variety
of thin film technologies but most of them are
still in the research or development phase.
Some of them generate electricity by using
organic materials, others use inorganic
substances (CdTe for instance)
Biohybrid Solar Cell
 The Biohybrid solar cell is one of the types of
solar panels, that is still in the research phase.
It has been discovered by an expert team at
Vanderbilt University. The idea behind the
new technology is to take advantage of
the photosystem 1 and thus emulate the
natural process of photosynthesis. In case
you want to learn more about how the
biohybrid solar cell works in detail, read more
about it in the American Journal of Optics
and Photonics. It explains more detailed how
these cells work. Many of the materials being
used in this cell are similar to the traditional
methods, but only by combining the multiple
layers of photosystem 1, the conversion from
chemical to electrical energy becomes
much more effective (up to 1000 times more
efficient than 1st generation types of solar
panels).
Cadmium Telluride Solar Cell (CdTe)
 Among the collection of different
types of solar panels, this
photovoltaic technique
uses Cadmium Telluride, which
enables the production of solar cells
at relatively low cost and thus
a shorter payback time (less than a
year). Of all solar energy
technologies, this is the one requiring
the least amount of water for
production. Keeping the short
energy payback time in mind, CdTe
solar cells will keep your carbon
footprint as low as possible. The only
disadvantage of using Cadmium
Telluride is its characteristic of
being toxic, if ingested or inhaled. In
Europe especially, this is one of the
greatest barriers to overcome, as
many people are very concerned
about using the technology behind
this type of solar panel.
Concentrated PV Cell (CVP and HCVP)
 Concentrated PV cells generate
electrical energy just as conventional
photovoltaic systems do. Those multi-
junction types of solar panels have an
efficiency rate up to 41%, which, among
all photovoltaic systems, is the highest so
far. The name of such CVP cells is related
to what makes them so efficient,
compared to other types of solar
panels: curved mirror surfaces,
lenses and sometimes even cooling
systems are used to bundle the sun rays
and thus increase their efficiency.
 By this means, CVP cells have become
one of the most efficient types of solar
panels, with a high performance and
efficiency rate of up to 41%. What
remains is the fact, that such CVP solar
panels can only be as efficient if they
face the sun in a perfect angle. In order
to reach such high efficiency rates,
a solar tracker inside the solar panel is
responsible for following the sun.
 Advantages of Solar Energy
 1. Renewable Energy Source
Among all the benefits of solar panels, the most important thing is that solar energy is a
truly renewable energy source. It can be harnessed in all areas of the world and is available
every day. We cannot run out of solar energy, unlike some of the other sources of energy.
Solar energy will be accessible as long as we have the sun, therefore sunlight will be
available to us for at least 5 billion years when according to scientists the sun is going to die.
 2. Reduces Electricity Bills
Since you will be meeting some of your energy needs with the electricity your solar
system has generated, your energy bills will drop. How much you save on your bill will be
dependent on the size of the solar system and your electricity or heat usage. Moreover, not
only will you be saving on the electricity bill, but if you generate more electricity than you
use, the surplus will be exported back to the grid and you will receive bonus payments for
that amount (considering that your solar panel system is connected to the grid). Savings
can further grow if you sell excess electricity at high rates during the day and then buy
electricity from the grid during the evening when the rates are lower.
 3. Diverse Applications
Solar energy can be used for diverse purposes. You can generate electricity
(photovoltaics) or heat (solar thermal). Solar energy can be used to produce electricity in
areas without access to the energy grid, to distill water in regions with limited clean water
supplies and to power satellites in space. Solar energy can also be integrated into the
materials used for buildings. Not long ago Sharp introduced transparent solar energy
windows.
 4. Low Maintenance Costs
Solar energy systems generally don’t require a lot of maintenance. You only need
to keep them relatively clean, so cleaning them a couple of times per year will do the
job. If in doubt, you can always rely on specialized cleaning companies, which offer this
service from around £25-£35. Most reliable solar panel manufacturers offer 20-25
years warranty. Also, as there are no moving parts, there is no wear and tear. The
inverter is usually the only part that needs to changed after 5-10 years because it is
continuously working to convert solar energy into electricity (solar PV) and heat (solar
thermal). Apart from the inverter, the cables also need maintenance to ensure your
solar power system runs at maximum efficiency. So, after covering the initial cost of the
solar system, you can expect very little spending on maintenance and repair work.
 5. Technology Development
Technology in the solar power industry is constantly advancing and improvements
will intensify in the future. Innovations in quantum physics and nanotechnology can
potentially increase the effectiveness of solar panels and double, or even triple, the
electrical input of the solar power systems.
 Disadvantages of Solar Energy
 1. Cost
The initial cost of purchasing a solar system is fairly high. Although the UK government has
introduced some schemes for encouraging the adoption of renewable energy sources, for
example, the Feed-in Tariff, you still have to cover the upfront costs. This includes paying for
solar panels, inverter, batteries, wiring, and for the installation. Nevertheless, solar technologies
are constantly developing, so it is safe to assume that prices will go down in the future.
 2. Weather Dependent
Although solar energy can still be collected during cloudy and rainy days, the efficiency
of the solar system drops. Solar panels are dependent on sunlight to effectively gather solar
energy. Therefore, a few cloudy, rainy days can have a noticeable effect on the energy
system. You should also take into account that solar energy cannot be collected during the
night. On the other hand, if you also require your water heating solution to work at night or
during wintertime, thermodynamic panels are an alternative to consider.
 3. Solar Energy Storage Is Expensive
Solar energy has to be used right away, or it can be stored in large batteries. These
batteries, used in off-the-grid solar systems, can be charged during the day so that the energy
is used at night. This is a good solution for using solar energy all day long but it is also quite
expensive. In most cases, it is smarter to just use solar energy during the day and take energy
from the grid during the night (you can only do this if your system is connected to the grid).
Luckily your energy demand is usually higher during the day so you can meet most of it with
solar energy.
 4. Uses a Lot of Space
The more electricity you want to produce, the more solar panels you will need, as
you want to collect as much sunlight as possible. Solar panels require a lot of space and
some roofs are not big enough to fit the number of solar panels that you would like to
have. An alternative is to install some of the panels in your yard but they need to have
access to sunlight. If you don’t have the space for all the panels that you wanted, you
can opt for installing fewer to still satisfy some of your energy needs.
 5. Associated with Pollution
Although pollution related to solar energy systems is far less compared to other
sources of energy, solar energy can be associated with pollution. Transportation and
installation of solar systems have been associated with the emission of greenhouse
gases. There are also some toxic materials and hazardous products used during the
manufacturing process of solar photovoltaics, which can indirectly affect the
environment. Nevertheless, solar energy pollutes far less than other alternative energy
sources.
 Solar Energy Benefits
 Sunlight is free, therefore, as soon as you have paid for the initial installation,
your electricity costs are virtually free.
 Sell electricity to the grid. The electricity grid will pay households for the
electricity that they export through the UK’s Feed-in Tariff scheme. Similar
schemes also exist in other countries.
 Lower carbon footprint, solar energy is a green renewable energy. It does
not release carbon dioxide and other gases that contribute to climate
change.
BASIC COMPONENT OF SOLAR POWER PLANT
Inverters
Module Mounting Structure
Cables
Batteries
Other Electrical Components
 Inverters – [DC Power to AC Power]
Inverters convert the electricity from solar panels which are in DC form to AC form.
Apart from this, command and control signals for electricity production from panels are
provided by the inverters.
 Module Mounting Structures – [Module Support]
Mounting structures support solar panels on the ground or on the rooftop. They
provide a secure fastening of the panels and protect them against wind, water logging
and other external impacts.
 Cables
transfer electricity from the panels to the inverter, and from the inverter to the load. Solar cables
are expected to withstand long-term exposure to sunlight and other atmospheric conditions.
 Batteries
Battery packs can be added to the solar power plants at an additional cost to
store the excess energy produced by the solar power plant during day. But beware –
batteries, at their current costs and performance, provide value for money only for
small scale rooftop solar power plants.