The development of solar cell technology began in 1839 through the research of French physicist Antoine-César Becquerel. Becquerel observed the photovoltaic effect while experimenting with a solid electrode in an electrolyte solution when he saw that a voltage developed when light fell on the electrode. Major events are briefly discussed below, while other milestones can be accessed by clicking on the image shown below. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay Charles Fritts - First Solar Cell: The first true solar cell was built around 1883 by Charles Fritts, who used seams coated with selenium (a semiconductor) with an extremely thin layer of gold. The device had only 1% efficiency.Albert Einstein - Photoelectric effect: Albert Einstein explained the photoelectric effect in 1905 for which he received the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1921.Russell Ohl - Silicon solar cell: the first cells solar, however, had an energy conversion efficiency of less than 1%. In 1941 Russell Ohl invented the silicon solar cell. Gerald Pearson, Calvin Fuller and Daryl Chapin (efficient solar cells) In 1954, three American researchers, Gerald Pearson, Calvin Fuller and Daryl Chapin, created a silicon solar cell capable of an efficient direct conversion of solar energy of 6%. They created the first solar panels. Bell Laboratories in New York has announced the production of the protocol type of a new solar battery. Bell had funded the investigation.Solar cellThe photovoltaic cell or photoelectric cell (solar cell) is a solid-state electrical device that converts light energy directly into electrical energy through the photovoltaic effect. Light energy is transmitted by photons, small packets or quanta of light. Electrical energy is stored in electromagnetic fields, which in turn can cause a stream of electrons to flow. Solar cell assemblies are used to make solar modules used to capture energy from sunlight. When multiple modules (such as before installation in a pole-mounted tracking system), the resulting integrated group of modules, all oriented in one plane, is assembled, called a solar panel. Please note: this is just an example. Get a custom paper now from our expert writers. Get a Custom Essay Electrical energy generated by solar modules is an example of solar energy. Photovoltaics is the field of technology and research related to the practical application of photovoltaic cells to produce electrical energy from light, although often used specifically to mean the generation of electrical energy from sunlight. The cells are described as photovoltaic cells when the light source is not necessarily sunlight. These are used to detect electromagnetic radiation of light or other visible near field, for example infrared detectors or by measuring the intensity of light.