First Solar Panel Invented

It all started in 1839 with 19 year old physicist named edmond becquerel.

First solar panel invented. Almost 50 years after the photovoltaic effect s discovery in 1883 american inventor charles fritz created the first working selenium solar cell. In 1767 horace de saussure a swiss physicist invented the first solar oven. 3 though we use silicon in cells for modern solar panels this solar cell was a major precursor to the technology used today. In a way many physicists played a part in solar cell invention.

Already in the 19th century french engineers began to use a steam installation powered by solar energy for printing books. While working on the coating of platinum electrodes using silver chloride he discovered a rise in voltage on exposure to light. Therefore the credit for the invention of the modern solar panel cannot go to a single individual entity. Just 7 years later charles fritts an american inventor created the first solar cell by layering selenium onto a gold backing.

Charles fritts installed the first solar panels on new york city rooftop in 1884. He even didn t imagine that his invention would help people prepare their dinner two and a half centuries into the future.