A Look Back into the History of Solar Energy
From your solar
calculator, to the solar panels used to light
or heat up your home – these are just
a few of the wide array of applications of
solar energy. Basically, solar energy harnesses
the power, heat and light of the sun to produce
the same energy which is produced from the
electrical outlet in your home. If you have
ever wondered how the energy from the sun
can be 'gathered' to use as electricity, here
is a look back into the history of solar energy.
Scientists and energy resource experts may
just have ignored the power of the sun and
the concept of solar energy centuries ago.
Back then, they only utilized the traditional
energy sources such as oil, gas, fuel, wood
and coal. Little did they know that the seemingly
simple light of the sun can be used to fill
the world's need of its much-needed energy.
In the 18th century, Nicholas de Saussure
invented a solar oven which made use of the
power of the sun to operate. However, the
history of solar energy can be traced way
back in the 4th century B.C., when the Greeks
experienced a scarcity of wood that they used
as fuel. The first passive solar powered home
was designed back then – where the residential
structure was positioned in such a way that
the rooms can take advantage of the light
of the sun. Basically, the main rooms were
made to face South, the Northern side of the
buildings were built in such a way that they
are shielded from cold winds blowing from
that direction, and eaves were added to provide
shade from the glare of the sun.
Going back to the 1800's, American Engineer
John Ericsson designed a solar heat engine
and demonstrated how it worked. In the 1900's,
the first solar water heater was built in
South California which paved the way towards
the building of a solar water heater industry.
This industry moved to Florida in 1923. In
1939, the first active solar house was built.
Basically, an active solar house works in
such a way that the heat of the sun or solar
energy is converted into reusable energy for
heating purposes. Today, active solar technologies
also provide energy for ventilation or cooling
purposes, and they can also be stored for
future heating purposes.
However, in the 1950's, electricity became
a cheap commodity because of the low price
of fossil fuels. Because of this, solar energy
has become too expensive for mass consumption
– which in turn caused the slow development
of the many environmental problems that are
being faced today.
In 1973, the Organization of Petroleum Exporting
Countries recognized the need to look for
viable, alternative energy sources due to
the energy crisis that the entire world experienced
back then. As years passed, the need for renewable
energy sources has been reexamined. This is
the reason why there is now a widespread awareness
for the advantages of using the limitless,
environmentally friendly and cost-effective
source of energy – which is solar energy.
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