0
To my knowledge, the first known intelligent and deliberate use of solar energy by humans dates back approximately 60,000 years. This is the estimated age of a house built by paleolithic humans in what is now Eastern Europe, using what is now called passive solar architecture.
This small structure, cleverly made of interlocking mammoth tusks, featured a single large opening facing due south; the opening is thought to have been designed to use sunlight to warm the abode. The structure was reconstructed and exhibited at the Museum of Natural History in New York City.
Some folks date the first use of solar energy to the use of "burning mirrors" - concentrating solar reflectors - by the Greeks and Romans ca. 100 A.D., as weapons of war to ignite fires and burn sails of enemy war ships.
Photovoltaic (PV) energy - the conversion of sunlight to electricity - dates to 1839 when the property was discovered accidentally by the French experimental physicist Edmund Becquerel, while he was experimenting with an electrolytic cell. The phenomenon was first explained in 1904 by Albert Einstein in his first published scientific paper. He explained the photovoltaic effect by inventing Quantum Theory, and it was for this that he won the Nobel Prize in 1921! Usable PV cells were first made in the early 1950's.
Still curious? Ask our experts.
Chat with our AI personalities
Steve
Vivi
JudySolar energy has been used for centuries, with the earliest recorded use dating back to 7th century BC when magnifying glasses were used to start fires. In terms of electricity generation, the first practical solar cell was developed in 1954 by Bell Laboratories in the United States.
Add your answer:
Earn +20 pts
Where was solar energy first used?
Solar energy was first used on a large scale in the 7th century BC when magnifying glasses were used to concentrate sunlight to start fires. In more recent times, solar energy was used to power satellites in the 1950s.
Where is solar energy being used the most?
Solar energy is being used the most in countries with high levels of sunlight and a commitment to renewable energy, such as China, the United States, India, and countries in Europe. These regions have large-scale solar energy installations on rooftops, in solar parks, and integrated into their energy grids.
How does a skateboard get energy from the sun?
A skateboard does not directly get energy from the sun. However, solar panels can be used to convert sunlight into electricity, which can then be used to power technologies like electric skateboards.
What is solar lighting most often used for?
Solar lighting is produced by the use of solar energy also known as photovoltaic cell. This device is used to convert the solar energy into electrical energy. Solar lighting is often used for supplying household electricity.
How could solar energy source be used?
Solar energy can be used to generate electricity through solar panels, which capture sunlight and convert it into electricity. It can also be used for heating and cooling purposes through solar thermal systems. Additionally, solar energy can be stored in batteries for use during the night or on cloudy days.
