Timeline of solar cells

In the 19th century, it was observed that the sunlight striking certain materials generates detectable electric current – the photoelectric effect.

They have historically been used in situations where electrical power from the grid was unavailable.

As the invention was brought out it made solar cells as a prominent utilization for power generation for satellites.

Satellites orbit the Earth, thus making solar cells a prominent source for power generation through the sunlight falling on them.

Solar cells are commonly used in satellites in today's times.

Edmond Becquerel created the world's first photovoltaic cell at 19 years old in 1839.
Einstein's "On a Heuristic Viewpoint Concerning the Production and Transformation of Light" was published in Annalen der Physik in 1905.
Vanguard 1 with its six solar cells attached
A New Mexico State University professor showing a solar panel in New Mexico in April 1974
National Renewable Energy Laboratory logo
Exponential growth-curve on a semi-log scale of worldwide installed photovoltaics in gigawatts since 1992
Solar cell production by region 2000–2010 [ 23 ]
Market share of the different PV technologies 1999–2010
Worldwide installed photovoltaic capacity in "watts per capita" by country. Estimated figures for year 2016.
Reported timeline of research solar cell energy conversion efficiencies since 1976 ( National Renewable Energy Laboratory )