One of the most interesting things about solar energy history is that it became of interest during the Industrial Revolution. This was a time when the use of fossil fuels was growing rapidly and there was little, if, any concern about exhausting the supply of these energy sources.

The first we know about the history of solar energy comes from 1838, when a man named Edmund Becquerel published findings regarding the nature of turning light to energy. His studies were not sought after.

Between 1860 and 1861, the French monarchy commissioned Auguste Mouchout, who designed a solar device that powered the first steam engine. His work, however, stopped for lack of funding when the French and English made a deal for cheaper coal.

In 1873 a British man named Wiloughby Smith began experimenting with selenium solar cells. He discovered selenium's sensitivity to light when he was testing different materials to use for underwater telegraph cables.

The next key step in solar power history is the first book written about solar energy. Its author was William Adams who, along with his student Richard Day, was able to power an engine much bigger than Mouchout's. He wrote his book and experimented with mirrors and a design still in use today, known as the Power Tower concept, from around 1876 to 1878.

1883 was a big year in solar energy history, as that was when Charles Fritz developed his solar cell, actually converting sunlight to energy at a rate of 1%-2%.

From 1885 to 1889, John Tellier, the father of refrigeration, installed the first solar system for the heating of water on top of the roof of his house in France. He did, however, eventually give up his experiments with solar energy in pursuit of his interests in refrigeration. Imagine the affect on solar power history, had he continued.

Solar energy history moves into the 20th century in 1892 - 1905, when Aubrey Eneas founded The Solar Motor Company. Their first two sales of solar energy systems were destroyed by bad weather and the company failed.

Around the same time, 1905, Henry Willsie built two huge plants in California to store generated power. He was the first to use power generated during the day to light up the night. His company failed without one single sale.

Solar energy history recognizes the efforts of the Sun Power Company from 1906 to 1914, for building the largest solar energy system of its day. It covered more than 10,000 square feet and, while it produced a lot of steam, it didn't provide enough pressure.

In 1954, the discovery of silicon as a semi-conductor moved the history of solar energy by allowing panels to be constructed with 6% efficiency.

In 1956, the first solar cell was available to the average consumer, although it is very expensive, at $300 a watt.

From the 1950s through the 1960s, the space program revolutionized solar energy history through its solar power applications in space.

The 1970 Oil Embargo marked solar energy history by making it imperative to find a future energy source to replace traditional fossil fuels.

From 1980 to 1991, The Luz Company of Las Angeles, California produced 95% of the entire world's solar energy output. They were forced to close down when fossil fuel prices dropped and the federal and state government seemed unlikely to consider solar energy incentives.

The early 21st century witnessed how the world went from the oil glut of the late 80s and early 90s, to face record increases in fuel oil and gasoline prices, and remind us that we need an alternative to fossil fuels and a lower dependency on foreign oil and oil company policies.

Solar power history has played, and will continue to play, a big part in the way the history of the world evolves.

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