French physicist who found the photovoltaic effect in 1839
Plate 085
1954
Murray Hill, New Jersey, United States
No photograph is shown for this exhibition. The museum displays an image only where it can show the object honestly.
About this date
Bell Labs announced the first practical silicon solar cell on 25 April 1954. The photovoltaic effect was discovered by Edmond Becquerel in 1839.
About credit
Many researchers worked on photovoltaic effects. The Bell Labs team made the first one efficient enough to be useful.
Chapter II
The world before
Life before the Solar Cell
Electricity came from burning fuel, moving water or wind, or nuclear fission.
II
The human achievement
How it came about
The first Bell cell turned about 6% of sunlight into electricity. It powered the Vanguard 1 satellite in 1958. Costs fell over 99% between the 1970s and the 2020s.
III
Understanding the invention
How it works
The Solar Cell, explained in two steps.
01
Step 01 of 02
Light knocks electrons loose
Photons transfer energy to electrons in the silicon.
Light knocks electrons loose
A built-in push
IV
The transformation
What changed for humanity
Space
Satellites run on solar panels.
Energy
Rooftop and large solar farms supply growing amounts of power.
Solar power is now among the cheapest sources of new electricity and a key part of reducing carbon emissions.
V
Before and after
Life before and after The Solar Cell
Before
Diesel generator.
After
Solar panel and battery.
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