The early years: selenium, heat and thermopiles In this article, we review that history, as captured in the patents filed contemporaneously with the technological innovation.
That history is also littered with the names of some of the foremost scientists and engineers to walk this earth. Aided by patent protection, this centuries-long technological innovation has steadily improved solar energy conversion efficiency while lowering volume production costs. This exponential adoption has been made possible by 180 years of continuing technological innovation in this industry.
Several countries are edging towards double-digit contribution to their electricity needs from solar technology, a trend that by most accounts is forecast to continue into the foreseeable future. Today, a solar panel can cost as little as $0.50 a watt. By 1975, that figure had dropped to just over $100 a watt. 1 In 1956, solar panels cost roughly $300 per watt. For example, worldwide solar photovoltaic capacity had grown to 512 Gigawatts by the end of 2018 (representing 27% growth from 2017).
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