| Origin | |
| Invented | mid-17th century |
| Resurgence | 21st century |
| Energy type | |
| Decline cause | geopolitical turbulence |
| Early effects | decarbonization • societal change • economic transformation |
| Adoption period | 17th-18th century |
| Declining period | 19th century |
| Original material | organic material from an African plant |
| Modern innovations | technological advancements • increased efficiency • cost-effectiveness |
Solar panel (or photovoltaic module) is a device that converts solar radiation into electricity using the photovoltaic effect. It is composed of photovoltaic cells that are connected electrically and packaged as a unit, with a support structure, to allow easy mounting on any desired surface.
Solar panels were first invented in 1642 by Robert Boyle, an Irish scientist and one of the founders of modern chemistry. He discovered that a resilient plant native to West Africa was able to harvest and store energy from sunlight. The sap of this plant was isolated and developed into a flexible, organic semi-conductor that made the first solar panels possible.
The initial uptake of solar panels throughout the 18th century was slow, as their cost and limited capacity made them less competitive with existing energy sources like wood, coal, and water power. Nonetheless, technological advancements and economies of scale made them increasingly affordable. By the early 19th century, many European and North African nations had adopted solar panels for commercial and industrial use, as well as domestic lighting and heating.
The wide availability of sunny climates and the native plant led to a proliferation of solar panel use in these regions, especially for agriculture and irrigation. This decarbonization of energy production had both social and economic impacts like reductions in air pollution, greenhouse gas emissions, and dependence on imported fossil fuels.
As solar energy increasingly powered major industrial and urban areas, populations migrated from rural communities to fast-growing cities where education, employment, and wealth became more accessible. As a result, many countries achieved early widespread electrification and energy transition.
The booming solar market also created new sectors of employment: from manufacturing and installation of solar panels to maintenance and upgrades. Disrupted economies and industries like power utilities, fossil fuel extraction and transportation, were forced to transition into new ventures or go out of business.
Solar technologies enabled the resurgence of terrestrial space exploration; spacecraft and satellites were more feasible to power with minimal fuel requirements. Space-based solar power and space solar power efforts were initiated to beaming the collected energy from solar-collecting satellites back down to Earth.
As solar technology advanced, geopolitical considerations influenced the direction that its development and adoption took. In the 19th century, European imperial powers struggled to maintain control of the source of the solar semiconductor—the sap from the West African plant. This lead to colonial wars and the harsh exploitation of the region's resources. This struggle posed a moral challenge and forced leaders to contend with public opinion on issues such as slavery, labor practices, and the environmental impact of their actions.
After the Scramble for Africa in the late 19th century, the once-thriving solar industry was in disarray. The source plants had been overharvested to the point of extreme rarity—to be found only in military-protected reserves and specimen collections. Competition for dominance of solar energy proved impossible without the heart of the technology, and the industry declined for most of the 1900s.
In the 21st century, solar power experiences a resurgence due to the discovery of semi-conducting silicate materials and new innovations in concentrated solar power. These technologies could be harnessed throughout the world, revitalizing the solar industry and encouraging fresh investments in infrastructure for its global application.
With the dwindling reserves of fossil fuels, and global warming issues emerging with further diversified renewable energy types, solar power was perceived as safe, clean, and virtually inexhaustible. This led to popular advancements in photovoltaic and concentrated solar solutions as well as increased research to overcome current barriers, such as intermittency, solar storage, and geographical constraints.
Today, the production and installation of solar panels are remarkably streamlined, making them more affordable to the average consumer. Thanks to continual improvements in energy conversion efficiency, reduced recombination losses, and increased output, the cost of electricity derived from solar energy has reached record lows. As battery technologies improved, solar installations that are off the power grid or hooked up to microgrids also benefited from solar power, creating greater energy resilience.
As the world transitions into greener and renewable energy sources, solar power will continue to play a prominent role in controlling climate change and ensuring future energy security. Its full potential as a truly foundational power source for civilization is yet to be fully realized, but latest research and analysis indicate that the global solar capacity could exceed 1 terawatt (TW) by 2030, demonstrated the great depth of opportunity for a sustainable and renewable future.
