In April, 1954, researchers at Bell Laboratories demonstrated the first practical silicon solar cell. The story of solar cells goes back to an early observation of the photovoltaic effect in 1839.
Can a silicon solar cell convert sunlight into electricity?
Exposing Pearson's silicon solar cell to strong sun-light, Chapin found that it performed significantly better—five times more efficiently, in fact—than selenium. Theoretical calculations brought even more encouraging news. An ideal silicon solar cell, Chapin figured, could convert 23% of sunlight into electricity.
This period began with the success of the first Telstar communication satellite launched in 1962 and powered by silicon solar cells as shown in Fig. 1.1a. Then in the 1970s, silicon cells were evolved for use in terrestrial installations. Figure 1.1b shows a typical terrestrial silicon solar cell.
Could a silicon solar cell bring a new era?
The New York Times wrote that the silicon solar cell “may mark the beginning of a new era, leading eventually to the realization of one of mankind's most cherished dreams — the harnessing of the almost limitless energy of the sun for the uses of civilization.”
At Bell Telephone Laboratories in Berkeley Heights, NJ, Daryl Chapin, with Bell Labs colleagues Calvin Fuller and Gerald Pearson, invented the first practical photovoltaic solar cell for converting sunlight into useful electrical power at a conversion efficiency of about six percent.
How did boron-arsenic silicon make a solar battery?
They also found they were able to make good electrical contacts with the boron-arsenic silicon sells. After making some other improvements to the design, they linked together several solar cells to create what they called a “solar battery.” Bell Labs announced the invention on April 25, 1954 in Murray Hill, New Jersey.
Could a silicon solar cell be a viable power source?
Developing a silicon solar cell with 6% conversion efficiency, though, would satisfy Chapin and rank as a viable power source. His colleagues concurred, and all his work focused on this goal. However, try as he might, Chapin could not improve on Pearson's accomplish-ment.