Solar Energy Timeline
The solar energy timeline begins in 1883…
2010
The U.S. invests $2 billion (from Recovery Act money) in two major solar power projects.
2009
DeSoto Next Generation Solar Energy Center begins operation in Florida, with 25 MW of power.
2007
Construction begins on the Nellis Solar Power Plant, a 15 MW solar power plant in Nevada. The Google solar power project at the company’s headquarters begins operation.
2006
California approves the California Solar Initiative (CSI), a $2.8 billion incentive program for eleven years of solar development.
2005
The Energy Policy Act is passed, including the 30% investment tax credit for installing new solar systems.
2004
New Jersey becomes the first state to offer an SREC program.
2001
The world’s largest hybrid power system, combining wind and solar, is installed in Hawaii.
1999
Thin-film solar cells break the 15% efficiency barrier in the laboratory. World PV production reaches 1000 megawatts.
1998
Scientists invent flexible solar roofing shingles.
1994
The National Renewable Energy Laboratory creates a solar cell that was more than 30% efficient.
1990
Germany adopts the first version of its feed-in-tariff for renewable energy, requiring utilities to pay a certain amount to solar energy generators.
1983
World PV production reaches 21.3 megawatts.
1982
The first megawatt-scale solar PV system goes online in Hisperia, California.
1980
First thin-film solar cell developed.
1978
NASA installs a 3.5kW system on the remote Papago Indian Reservation in Arizona, which previously had no electricity.
1977
President Jimmy Carter installs solar panels on the White House, as the energy crisis prompts new interest in solar power. The U.S. Department of Energy launches the Solar Energy Research Institute (now the National Renewable Energy Laboratory). Worldwide PV production reaches 500 kW.
1976
Scientists create the first amorphous silicon photovoltaic cells.
1973
The first U.S. space station is powered with solar cells. The University of Delaware builds Solar One, one of the world’s first solar-powered residences.
1970
The solar cell is redesigned, bringing the cost down from $100 to $20 per watt.
1962
The first television satellite is powered with solar cells.
1958
The Vanguard I space satellite, Explorer III, and Vanguard II are launched with solar-powered systems onboard.
1954
Bell Labs announces the invention of the first modern silicon solar cell. [Sidebar: A scientist at Bell Labs who was researching silicon for uses in electronics accidentally created the first silicon solar cell. The new cell was much more efficient than the previous selenium-based cells. The technology advanced quickly, becoming more and more efficient, but wasn't widely adopted because of its expense. A one-watt cell cost almost $300 in 1956, while building a power plant cost 50 cents per watt at that time.]
1883
Charles Fritts creates the first working solar cell, using selenium.
