Who Invented Solar Panels? Discover the History of Solar Energy

Before the first modern solar panels were invented by Bell Laboratories in 1954 , the history of solar energy was one of fits and starts driven by individual inventors and scientists.

Then the space and defense industries recognized its value, and by the late 20th century , solar energy had emerged as a promising but still costly alternative to fossil fuels.

This timeline highlights some of the major pioneers and events in the emergence of solar technology.

The first solar-powered telephone call is made in 1955 .

The Soviet Union's Soyuz 1 becomes the rst solar-power spacecraft to carry humans.

The energy crisis of the early 1970s spurs the first commercialization of solar technology.

The first large-scale solar farm is built near Hesperia , California , in 1982 .

Solar modules cost $ 106 /watt in 1976 (in 2019 dollars), they drop to just $0.38 in 2019 , with 89% of that drop happening since 2010 .

China becomes the world's leader in installed solar system capacity, surpassing Germany .

Las Vegas , Nevada , becomes largest city government in America to be run entirely on renewable energy.