The history of solar street lights

Solar street lights have become increasingly popular in recent years due to their energy efficiency and environmental benefits. However, the history of solar street lights dates back to the s, when photovoltaic (PV) technology was first discovered.

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In , French physicist Edmond Becquerel observed that certain materials produced an electrical current when exposed to light. This phenomenon, known as the photovoltaic effect, was not fully understood until the early s when Einstein proposed the theory of the photoelectric effect. This theory helped to explain how PV cells convert sunlight into electricity.

The first practical application of PV technology was in the s, when Bell Labs developed a silicon-based solar cell that could produce electricity in sunlight. However, these early solar cells were expensive and inefficient, and were mainly used for niche applications such as powering satellites.

It wasn't until the s, when the energy crisis spurred interest in renewable energy, that solar street lighting became a reality. The first solar-powered street lights were installed in the early s, mainly in remote areas where it was impractical or too expensive to connect to the grid.

These early solar street lights were relatively simple and used lead-acid batteries to store energy during the day, which was then used to power the lights at night. However, the batteries were expensive and required regular maintenance, which made solar street lighting uneconomical in many areas.

In the s, advancements in PV technology led to the development of more efficient and reliable solar panels. This made solar street lighting more practical and cost-effective, leading to wider adoption in developing countries where electricity infrastructure was lacking.

Today, solar street lights are used all over the world to provide safe and reliable lighting in urban and rural areas. They are powered by high-efficiency PV panels that can store energy in lithium-ion batteries, which are more durable and require less maintenance than lead-acid batteries.

In addition to providing lighting, solar street lights can also incorporate other features such as sensors and cameras, which can be used for security and environmental monitoring. These features can help to improve safety and reduce crime in areas that are poorly lit or prone to vandalism.

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Solar street lights have come a long way since their humble beginnings in the s. With continued advancements in PV technology and energy storage, they are poised to become an even more important part of our urban landscape in the years to come.

We'll explore some of the biggest events that have occurred in the history of solar energy:

Solar panels in outer space

Some of the earliest uses of solar technology were actually in outer space, where solar was used to power satellites. In , the Vanguard I satellite used a tiny one-watt panel to power its radios. Later that year, the Vanguard II, Explorer III, and Sputnik-3 were all launched with PV technology on board. In , NASA was responsible for launching the first Nimbus spacecraft, a satellite able to run entirely on a 470-watt solar array. In , NASA launched the world's first Orbiting Astronomical Observatory, powered by a one-kilowatt array.

First solar residence

In , the University of Delaware was responsible for constructing the first solar building, named "Solar One." The system ran on a hybrid supply of solar thermal and solar PV power. It was also the first instance of building integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) &#; the array didn't use solar panels but instead had solar integrated into the rooftop, similar to the design for Tesla's new roof product.

Achievements in solar conversion efficiency

Between and , Hoffman Electronics made a number of breakthroughs with photovoltaic efficiency, improving the efficiency record from 8% to 14%. The next major achievement was in when the University of New South Wales achieved 20% efficiency for silicon cells. In , the National Renewable Energy Laboratory collaborated with SpectroLab Inc. to create a solar cell with 33.3% efficiency. The University of New South Wales broke that record again in when researchers reached 34.5% efficiency.

Solar-powered airplanes

In , Paul MacCready built Solar Challenger, the first aircraft to run on solar power, and flew it across the English Channel from France to the U.K. In , the remote-controlled solar airplane "Pathfinder" set an altitude record after reaching 80,000 feet. NASA broke that record in when they reached 96,000 feet with their non-rocket aircraft. In , Bertrand Piccard completed the first zero-emissions flight worldwide with Solar Impulse 2, the world's largest and most powerful solar-powered airplane today.

Solar-powered presidencies

In , President Jimmy Carter had solar panels installed in the White House during his term as president. However, in , President Ronald Reagan ordered the White House solar panels to be removed. In , President Barack Obama requested that solar panels and a solar water heater be installed in the White House. Both were installed during Obama's first term.

Cost of solar over time

Prices for solar panels have dropped substantially over the past few decades, leading to a surge in consumer demand that has produced more than one million U.S. installations as of early . In , solar panels cost roughly $300 per watt. By , that figure had dropped to just over $100 a watt. Today, a solar panel can cost as little as $0.50 a watt. Consider this: since the year , solar panel prices have dropped by at least 10 percent every single year. The plummeting cost of solar is largely responsible for the growing popularity of solar and the legitimacy of PV as a reliable energy source in today's world.

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