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700BC 1700's 1900's 1920's 1950's 1960's 1970's 1980's 1990's
1953
Dr. Dan Trivich of Wayne State University makes the first theoretical calculations of the efficiencies of various materials of different band-gap widths based on the spectrum of the sun.
1954
Photovoltaic technology is born in the United States when Daryl Chapin, Calvin Fuller, and Gerald Pearson develop the silicon photovoltaic (or PV) cell at Bell Labs — the first solar cell capable of generating enough power from the sun to run everyday electrical equipment. Bell Telephone Laboratories then produces a silicon solar cell with 6% efficiency and later, 11% efficiency.
1955
Western Electric begins to sell commercial licenses for silicon photovoltaic technologies. Early successful products include PV-powered dollar bill changers and devices that decode computer punch cards and tape.
Mid-1950s
Architect Frank Bridgers designs the world's first commercial office building featuring solar water heating and passive design. The solar system has operated continuously since then; the Bridgers-Paxton Building is listed in the National Historic Register as the world's first solar-heated office building.
1956
William Cherry of U.S. Signal Corps Laboratories approaches RCA Labs' Paul Rappaport and Joseph Loferski about developing photovoltaic cells for proposed Earth-orbiting satellites.
1957
Hoffman Electronics achieves 8% efficient photovoltaic cells.
1958
T. Mandelkorn of U.S. Signal Corps Laboratories fabricates n-on-p (negative layer on positive layer) silicon photovoltaic cells, making them more resistant to radiation; this is critically important for cells used in space.
Hoffman Electronics achieves 9% efficient photovoltaic cells.
A small PV array (less than one watt) on the Vanguard I space satellite powers its radios. Later that year, Explorer III, Vanguard II, and Sputnik-3 will be launched with PV-powered systems on board. Silicon solar cells become the most widely accepted energy source for space applications, and remain so today. For more information, see the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum's information on Vanguard 1.
1959
Hoffman Electronics achieves a 10% efficient, commercially available photovoltaic cell. Hoffman also learns to use a grid contact, significantly reducing the series resistance.
On August 7, the Explorer VI satellite is launched with a PV array of 9600 solar cells, each measuring 1 cm x 2 cm. On October 13, Explorer VII is launched.
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