The Solar Power Timeline

What would you do if the utility companies paidwooden ships, which were besieging Syracuse.
you for energy?(Although there is no proof that this actually
You, like me, probably didn't even know that washappened, the Greek navy recreated the
possible.experiment in 1973 and successfully set fire to a
What if you never had to pay energy bills everwooden boat 50 meters away.)
again?* 20 A.D.
Again, something else I didn't know was possible.The Chinese report using mirrors to light torches
These two questions took me completely byfor religious purposes.
surprise when I started doing research for this* 100 to 400 A.D.
article. Especially since both questions pertain toIn the first to the fourth centuries, Roman bath
solar power.houses are built with large, south-facing windows
The Truth About Solar Efficiencyto let in the sun's warmth.
Everyone has heard about the benefits of solar* 600 A.D.
power in terms of environmental conservationSunrooms on houses and public buildings are so
and lessening our dependence on imported fossilcommon that the Justinian Code establishes "sun
fuel. But these are both concepts that apply on arights" to ensure that a building has access to the
grand scale. It's very hard to equate what thissun.
means to an individual. We have to examine the* 1300 A.D.
past, present, and future of solar energy, in orderIn North America, the ancestors of Pueblo people
to see that there is huge promise for the futureknown as Anasazi build south-facing cliff dwellings
of solar energy.that capture the warmth of the winter sun.
I, for one, could not have begun to tell you what* 1700 to 1900 A.D.
the hard facts were in relation to solar power untilSolar contraptions such as photovoltaic fiber, solar
I started digging. It turns out that what we hearcells, and solar steam engines are invented.
about solar energy is just the tip of the iceberg.Eventually a water heater is power by solar
Which are disappearing, I might add, to the tuneelectricity.
of 20% during the summer of 2008.* 1900s
A Brief HistorySolar technology improved thousands of times
Before we go exploring the ins and outs of solarover, with a vast array of solar materials and
energy, let's take a look at how this force ofsolar collectors being constructed and
nature has evolved over the centuries.implemented all over the world. Entire towns are
Solar technology isn't new. It probably startedpowered by solar energy by the year 2000.
some time in the 7th Century B.C., when peopleBuildings are constructed with photovoltaic glass
learned how to use glass and sunlight to light aand green roofs, and are self-sustainable thanks
fire. There is some evidence that ancient culturesto the advancements is solar power conversion.
across the globe have used glass and polished* 2000s
metals to concentrate the heat and light of theHouses are powered with residential solar power
sun. This concept has been around so long thatsystems sold in Home Depot, and NASA builds
the Justinian Code of 6th Century A.D. decreedrockets and planes powered entirely by solar
that every individual had "Sun Rights".energy. Solar power is regarded as an inefficient
Skip ahead several hundred years and you will findpossible solution to the upcoming oil issue.
documentation detailing the construction and use* The Future
of equipment that harnesses the heat and powerWithin 10 years, continued advances in solar
of the sun.technology will allow us to generate all the
Solar Power Todayelectricity needed to power the entire US, and
Now that we know where we've been, let's lookphotovoltaic power will be competitive in price
at where we are.with traditional sources of electricity.
Right now, all across our planet, governments andSolar electricity will be used in an electrolysis
organizations are installing solar panels andprocess that separates the hydrogen and oxygen
contributing funds to further research into ain water so the hydrogen can be used in fuel cells
renewable energy source that is hoped to rivalfor transportation and in buildings.
conventional energy in the next decade.Pros and Cons of Solar Power
In the future, we can look forward to more solarSo this is where we must think about and
energy homes and cars that perform up to theexamine the ups and downs of solar power.
standards we expect from traditional fuel sources.* First, the sun is free. Once you pay for your
Right this very moment I am living in a housesolar panels, you are done paying to power your
that has solar panels to heat my water, and ithome. Conversely, the sun does take a hiatus.
does get very hot. I do, however, worry aboutEven so, you can switch to battery power to
having hot water at 2 a.m. Not that I taketake up the slack if you want.
showers very often at that hour, but a writer's* Second, if you have a system that produces
work isn't always done when the sun sets.more energy than you use, you can sell the
Solar Timelineexcess energy to the utility company. But that
The following timeline for solar energy from theusually requires you to live in a very sunny
U.S. Department of Energy, lists the milestones inclimate.
the historical development of solar technology* Third, the cost of maintenance is very low.
from the 7th Century B.C. to now.Since it is just a flat panel that doesn't move, you
* 700 B.C.don't have to worry very much about mechanical
A magnifying glass is used to concentrate themalfunctions. Unfortunately, the initial cost of
sun's rays on a fuel and light a fire for light,these panels can be very expensive and serves
warmth, and cooking.as a deterrent to buying.
* 300 B.C.I hope that these facts encourage you to look to
Greeks and Romans use mirrors to light torchesthe future of energy production. Environmental
for religious purposes.conservation is everyone's responsibility. We all do
* 200 B.C.what we can. Hopefully sometime soon it will be
As early as 212 B.C., Greek scientist Archimedesmore cost effective. We can scarce afford to
makes use of the reflective properties of bronzelose the only habitable planet we have and some
shields to focus sunlight and set fire to Rome'sspecies, like the polar bear, are already losing.