Solar Industry Milestones:
1839 – The Discovery of the Photostatic Effect
Edmond Becquerel discovered that the sun can produce an electrical charge. He experimented with an electrolytic cell and placed it within an electricity-conducting solution, the amount of electricity generated increased when it was exposed to light. https://www1.eere.energy.gov/solar/pdfs/solar_timeline.pdf 1905 – Albert Einstein Publishes Paper Explaining the Photoelectric Effect
Albert Einstein published a paper of his research and explanation of the photoelectric effect. His publication won him the Nobel Prize in 1921. https://www1.eere.energy.gov/solar/pdfs/solar_timeline.pdf 1954 – The Birth of the Photovoltaics (Solar Cells)
Bell Labs, located in the United States
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Though they were capable of powering electrical equipment at this time, the high costs kept them from expanding in the market. https://www.solarpowerauthority.com/a-history-of-solar-cells/ 1970 – Research Drives Down Costs
As oil prices rose during this time, the demand for solar power increased. Exxon Corporation financed research to create solar cells made from less expensive materials, pushing costs from $100 per watt to only $20-$40 per watt. https://www.solarpowerauthority.com/a-history-of-solar-cells/ 2015 and Beyond – Solar Power Continues to Advance
Solar power's future is brighter than ever. Costs for solar energy drops to record lows and so does the cost for rooftop installations. The technology continues to advance and become more common throughout the nation.
https://www.solargain.com.au/timeline-history-solar-power
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https://www.sunpeakpower.com/sunpeakstory https://www.sunpeakpower.com/sites/default/files/imce/SunPeak%20press%20release%204_20_16.pdf
December 2016 – SunPeak Installed Solar Panels on Lakeland Union High School (LUHS)
SunPeak installed 1,056 solar panels which helped power multiple aspects of LUHS. On a day with plenty of uninterrupted sunshine, the panels can power up to 20% of the high school. LUHS is now home to the largest solar farm in any school in Wisconsin. https://www.sunpeakpower.com/news/power-sun-luhs-now-home-largest-solar-farm-any-school-wisconsin July 2017 – American Family Insurance Partners with SunPeak
The national headquarters, located in Madison, installed nearly 4,500 solar panels on their rooftop, making it the largest single rooftop solar installation in Wisconsin to date. The system generates over 7% of their energy needs and saves approximately $191,000 in annual energy