Source+3

"Solar Energy Science Project Topics: History of Solar Energy." //Science Fair Project Topics in Solar Energy //. N.p., n.d. Web. 23 Sept. 2012. .

Facts
 * 1) Solar energy has been used by humans for thousands of years.
 * 2) The earliest is using the sun's energy to light fires.
 * 3) Passive solar energy is used to keep people's homes warm.
 * 4) The homes are set up to collect heat in the day and release heat at night.
 * 5) Photovoltaic activity were discovered in 1839 by Edmond Bequerel.
 * 6) AT&T Labs developed the first efficient solar cells.
 * 7) It was 6% during that time and it's gone up to 20% efficiency today.
 * 8) Satellites were the first practical application for solar panels in 1958.
 * 9) PV's have been used for all satellites because of Vanguard I's first voyage in to space.
 * 10) Some countries use solar energy as a primary source of energy.
 * 11) Vanguard I was used for 6 years before they shut it down.
 * 12) In the 1970's Dr. Elliot Berman designed a less expensive solar cells.
 * 13) Other forms of renewable energy were researched during the 70's.
 * 14) The resources that were identified was solar, wind, geothermal.
 * 15) Of those three, solar was the most practical for all countries.