First Solar Panel Invented

In a way many physicists played a part in solar cell invention.

First solar panel invented.

Just 7 years later charles fritts an american inventor created the first solar cell by layering selenium onto a gold backing. While working on the coating of platinum electrodes using silver chloride he discovered a rise in voltage on exposure to light. Charles fritts installed the first solar panels on new york city rooftop in 1884. In 1767 horace de saussure a swiss physicist invented the first solar oven.

Courtesy of john perlin take a light step back to 1883 when new york inventor charles fritts created the first. It all started in 1839 with 19 year old physicist named edmond becquerel. Already in the 19th century french engineers began to use a steam installation powered by solar energy for printing books. Therefore the credit for the invention of the modern solar panel cannot go to a single individual entity.

Therefore some consider the true invention of solar panels to be tied to daryl chapin calvin fuller and gerald pearson s creation of the silicon photovoltaic pv cell at bell labs in 1954. 3 though we use silicon in cells for modern solar panels this solar cell was a major precursor to the technology used today.