Ohio Bio-Enviro Settlements Inc.
A Short History of Photovoltaics (PV) Solar Power
"The photovoltaic effect" (The ability of a solar cell to create electricity from available light) was first noted by the French physicist Edmund Becquerel in 1839. But it wasn't until the 1950's when Bell Laboratories in the U.S. made a modern working photovoltaic cell that useable solar power came into existence. By the late 1950's the United States' National Aeronautics and Space Administration was relying on photovoltaics research to provide the power for its spacecraft. It was out of the lab and working.
Photovoltaics (PV or solar electric power) is the creation of electrical current from light energy. Simply put...a photon of light strikes a silicon solar cell and causes an electron to "jump" across the P/N junction. As each electron jumps one after another with a load connected we complete a circuit + we get natural direct current electricity. (The same type that is created chemically by batteries) The PV cells are assembled into a panel (or module) to give us a specific current and voltage we can work with. These panels are then configured in series and/or parallel to give us the power we need. All a panel needs is to be facing the sun with no shading and it is producing electricity...no noise...no pollution...no maintenance. At first when you hear about a small 50 watt panel you may say:"50 Watts! Is that all?" but keep in mind: you pedaling on a lifecycle at the gym for an hour is 50 watts! That panel will do that every hour it has full sun for 30 or more years!!!
Today's modern cells are the result of years of expert research and incredible amounts of research money. Without a large investment we can acquire a wonderful technology that is practical and operates day after day, year after year, diligently turning all available light into useable energy with no environmental impact! No Noise, No Smoke, No overhead wires, No Fuel or Fumes, No moving parts to breakdown, No Maintenance!
