Sun - Energy source of the future (Part 1)

' Solar energy ', the natural " green " energy source of nature.

Many times we have heard people mention this term abound on television, newspaper, books . But have you ever wondered, who put the first steps for interesting science? and full of potential?

In the following article, we will go back to the past, reviewing important milestones in human history of research and solar application of mankind.

1838

Edmond Becquerel, a French physicist, is credited with being the first person to have official ideas and notes on a ' miracle ' method that transforms light into energy. At that time, his idea was considered by many to be quite new and interesting, but it did not have many practical applications so quickly fell into oblivion.

Period 1860-1881

More than two decades later, Becquerel's ideas were mentioned again. Following the notes of the predecessor, Auguste Mouchout was granted a patent for the first engine design capable of running on solar energy. Receiving funding from the French government, he succeeded in creating a device that converts solar energy into steam energy and has since produced the first solar powered steam engine.

Not stopping here, the inventor then used his steam engine to install a refrigerator, he wanted to prove to everyone that the sun's rays could be used even if Can I use it to create ice?!? As Newton said: ' energy is not born naturally, it is not natural to lose it. It only transforms from one form to another . '

Unfortunately, Auguste Mouchout's research only stops here. France soon signed a number of agreements with the UK in providing long-term cheap coal energy. Auguste's invention in finding alternative sources of energy was no longer a priority of the French government. Without receiving the necessary funding for research, Auguste Mouchout soon had to give up his dream of an endless new energy.

1873

Willoughby Smith, an English scientist who happened to discover a solar battery material. While testing some of the materials for his transatlantic telecom cable design, he accidentally found a new material with high light sensitivity. Some of the first experiments were performed and recorded regarding this new material sample.

Period 1876-1878

William Adams released the first official book about solar energy: ' Alternative energy source for fossil energy in tropical countries '. With the help of the young student Richard Day, he had an interesting design using mirrors to create solar energy equivalent to a 2.5-hp engine. His design is considered a huge step forward (Mouchout's previous design is only equivalent to a 0.5 horsepower engine), and is still applied today.

In 1883

Charles Fritz was the first scientist to succeed in converting solar energy into electrical energy. His solar cell design, though having a low conversion rate, is only 1-2%, but is still assessed by the international scientific community as an important milestone in the history of energy development and application. the sun of humanity.

In 1888

John Ericsson, an immigrant American, wrote the following comments: ' After more than 2,000 years of living and surviving on earth, humanity will soon use all of its fossil energy resources. Our children and grandchildren will face serious energy shortages in the new century. This dark scenario will become reality unless we find a way to tame and exploit solar energy . '

The word ' prophecy ' closes the opening phase in the history of research and application of solar energy. Humanity entered a new era, the 20th century with many difficulties and challenges.