2. http://www.bnl.gov/SET/LISF.php

4. http://www.wisegeek.com/what-are-photovoltaic-cells.htm https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8sLej0oD1Ak

5. Most people would be surprised to learn that Photovoltaic technology dates back over 175 years. The basic science was discovered in 1839 but the real advancements came in the 20 th century.  1839 - Experimenting with metal electrodes and electrolyte, nineteen-year-old French physicist Alexandre Edmond Becquerel observes a physical phenomenon allowing light-electricity conversion.  1901 - Nikola Tesla receives US patent for "method of utilizing, and apparatus for the utilization of, radiant energy."  1905 - Albert Einstein publishes paper on theory behind “photoelectric effect” along with paper on relativity theory.  1916 - Robert Millikan provided experimental proof of Einstein’s theory on photoelectric effect  1922 - Einstein wins Nobel prize for 1905 paper on photoelectric effect. http://www.sunlightelectric.com/pvhistory.php

6. Bell Laboratories, while working on silicon semiconductors, discovered silicon had photoelectric properties and quickly developed Si solar cells, achieving 6% efficiency and early satellites were the primary use for these first solar cells. 1954 - Bell Labs exhibits first high-power silicon PV cell. The New York Times forecasts that solar cells will eventually lead to a source of "limitless energy of the sun". 1958 - PV array powers radios on US Vanguard I space satellite 1963 - Sharp Corporation produces a viable photovoltaic module of silicon solar cells. Japan installs a 242-watt PV array on a lighthouse, the world's largest array at that time. 1966 - NASA launches Orbiting Astronomical Observatory with a 1-kilowatt PV array 1970s - Research drives PV costs down 80%, allowing for applications such as offshore navigation warning lights and horns lighthouses, railroad crossings, and remote use where utility-grid connections are too costly 1974 - Japan formulates “Project Sunshine” to fuel PV research and development 1977 - US Dept. of Energy establishes US Solar Energy Research Institute in Golden, CO 1980s - Continued improvements in efficiency and cost enables PV to become a popular power source for consumer electronic devices, such as calculators, watches, radios, lanterns and other small battery charging applications http://www.sunlightelectric.com/pvhistory.php

7.  Photovoltaics is the direct conversion of light into electricity at the atomic level. Some materials, such as Silicon, exhibit a property known as the photoelectric effect that causes them to absorb photons of light and release electrons. This flow of free electrons is called a current. And the formula for voltage is:  Voltage(V)=Current(I) x Resistance(R)  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x2zjdtxrisc https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x2zjdtxrisc

8.  In 1883 Charles Fritts built the first solid state PV cell with an efficiency of only about 1%  In 1953 Bell Laboratories built the first silicon cells with an efficiency of about 6%.  In 1957 AT&T create a solar cell with about 8% efficiency.  In the 1960 Hoffman Electronics breaks into the double digits with 10% efficiency.  In 1992 University of South Florida fabricates a thin film that has 15.89% efficiency.  In 1996 Switzerland achieves 11% efficiency.  In 1999 The National Renewable Energy Laboratory achieves 18.8% efficiency.  In 2013 Germany created a new cell that has 44.7% efficiency.  Today Australia leads the world with the most efficient solar cell converting 46% of the sunlight that hits it into energy. 1. http://www.aps.org/publications/apsnews/200904/physicshistory.cfm 2. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_solar_cells

9.  The amount of energy used by humans in one year is equal to 1 minute of sunlight.  Sunlight is the cleanest form of renewable energy. In the recent years we have made incredible advancements in solar technologies. We have come along way since the earliest cell was created in 1883.  It is calculated that Solar Panels(with a lifespan of 20 to 25 years) will regenerate the energy spent to create them in less than four years. And that is with today’s efficiency ratings.

10. Today Solar Panels are widely used. They are on small items such as :  Roadside signs, Calculators, and Wrist Watches http://www.energysavingsecrets.co.uk/ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar-powered_calculator http://www.crazywatches.pl/

11.  They are also used on bigger items such as  Homes, the International Space Station and Satellites http://www.homedesignfind.com/green/home-for-life-generates-a-solar-surplus/ http://forum.kerbalspaceprogram.com/ http://solaripedia.blogspot.com/2009/11/international-space-station-all-solar.html

12.  And Yes even this House is going GREEN. http://blogs.scientificamerican.com/observations/2014/05/09/fight-over-solar-power-returns-to-white-house-roof-video/

13.  They produce 32M Watts of power. They produce enough energy to power approximately 4,200 homes.  Built with a collaboration between BP and Metlife.  Built in Upton New York on 200 Acres of land and given a 20 Year lease by the Department of Energy.  Consists of 164,312 PV panels.

15.  There is a lot of discussion as to where Solar technology is heading. Of course there is the obvious of improving the efficiency of solar panels. But here are some other ideas to help make our world a cleaner place to live.

16. Solar Roadways http://www.solarroadways.com/intro.shtml http://www.sustainablebrands.com/news_and_views/cleantech/mike_hower/http://www.extremetech.com/extreme/

17. http://www.solarroadways.com/wildlife.shtml http://www.brit.co/solar-roadways/ http://inhabitat.com/roosegaarde-studios-bike-path-is-a-twinkling-road-inspired-by-van-gogh/

18. http://solairegeneration.com/

19. http://alternativeenergyforlife.blogspot.com/2015/02/solar-cars.html http://sunwindsolar.com/solar-cars-and-boats/ http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/18/greenlings-why-dont-we-use-solar-to-power-our-electric-cars/