The Rise and Rise of Solar Energy
Although harnessing the Sun's energy has fascinated the world’s scientific community for centuries, it was not until the Arab Oil Embargo of 1973 that the virtues of solar power leapt into the global consciousness.
The Embargo – announced by OPEC on October 17, 1973 – caused world oil prices to almost double overnight, and illustrated the degree to which Western economies relied upon fossil fuels.
In more recent times, the environmental costs of burning fossil fuels have seen the world's interest in solar energy systems gather even further momentum. With issues such as global warming and carbon emissions now scientifically proven and firmly on the political agenda, the demand for photovoltaic technologies is set to continue apace.
Here are some key milestones in the rise of solar energy:
| 1976 | The NASA Lewis Research Center starts installing 83 photovoltaic power systems across the globe, to provide vaccine refrigeration, room lighting, medical clinic lighting, telecommunications, water pumping, grain milling and classroom television. |
| 1977 | Worldwide photovoltaic production exceeds 500 kilowatts. |
| 1982 | Volkswagon of Germany begins testing photovoltaic arrays mounted on the roofs of Dasher station wagons, generating 160 watts for the ignition. |
| 1983 | Worldwide photovoltaic production exceeds 21.3 megawatts. |
| 1985 | The University of New South Wales breaks the 20% efficiency barrier for silicon solar cells under 1-sun conditions. |
| 1992 | A 7.5 kilowatt prototype dish system using an advanced stretch membrane concentrator becomes operational. |
| 1994 | The first solar dish generator using a free-piston Stirling engine is connected to an existing utility grid. |
| 1996 | The world's most advanced solar-powered airplane, the Icare, with 3,000 super-efficient solar cells, flies over Germany. |
| 1999 | Worldwide photovoltaic production exceeds 1000 megawatts. |
| 2000 | Astronauts at the International Space Station begin installing solar panels on what becomes the largest solar power array deployed in space. |
| 2002 | Japan installs 25,000 solar rooftops on homes throughout the country. |
| 2003 | Global investment in solar and wind power exceeds US$20 billion per annum. |
| 2004 | Suntech's output capacity places the company in the Top 10 in the world and No.1 in China. |
| 2006 | Worldwide photovoltaic production exceeds 1,744 megawatts. |
Find out more about the leaders in solar energy development.