Since the dawn of time, humans have looked to the sun for energy and light and harnessed the unique power of this amazing resource to shape our lives and working habits. From the burning mirrors of ancient Greece to the photovoltaics we use today—we’ve been inspired by solar energy throughout centuries!
Join us as we trace the history of solar energy and lighting right from its earliest forms all the way up to today’s cutting-edge solar-powered solutions. Learn how far our knowledge of this energy source has come.
Ancient Times
People have been captivated by the sun and its energy for millennia. Ancient civilizations, such as the Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans, worshiped the sun as a deity and used its power in their architecture and daily lives. The Greek philosopher Anaximander proposed the idea of creating solar houses that naturally heat up with the sun. The Romans took it a step further by building their homes with south-facing windows, allowing sunlight to warm and light the insides. This innovative architectural design is a glimpse into the early potential of solar energy.
Further Solar Ingenuity From Ancient Peoples
In addition to utilizing the sun’s warmth for heating homes, ancient peoples found creative ways to harness its energy for multiple uses. One popular invention was the “burning mirror,” a Greek device made of polished metal that concentrated sunlight, generating enough heat to set fire to an object or cook food. Following suit, ancient Chinese scholars described solar-powered hot water heaters crafted from intricate systems of reflecting mirrors and water-filled tubes.
The Egyptians also used solar energy for a variety of purposes. They built sun temples with large columns and reflecting pools that collected the sun’s rays and directed them into the temple. This light was then used to create art and illuminate the walls. Additionally, they used solar energy to heat water, dry crops, and create steam power.
While these civilizations were limited in their use of solar energy due to its seasonal availability and technological limitations, it nonetheless remained an important source of natural energy for them for centuries.
Medieval and Renaissance Advances
During the medieval and Renaissance periods, solar energy experimentation continued with the creation of the “Fresnel lens.” Made of concentric rings of material, these lenses focused sunlight into a single beam, generating enough heat to melt metal. The invention of the solar furnace combined the idea of burning mirrors with Fresnel lenses and could produce even higher temperatures.
Meanwhile, inventors such as Leonardo da Vinci had grand visions about the future of solar energy. He designed plans for a sun-powered ship—a vessel that would rely on the power of the sun and wind for propulsion! While this idea never came to fruition, it demonstrates the impressive ways in which people were trying to capture solar energy.
18th and 19th Century Progress
The 18th and 19th centuries saw even more advances in solar energy utilization. In 1767, Swiss inventor Horace de Saussure designed a box that heated up the air inside by collecting sunlight on its drooped lid. This invention, dubbed the “hot box,” was the first known solar collector, opening up a new avenue of possibilities for harnessing solar energy. Later, in 1839, French scientist Edmond Becquerel discovered the photovoltaic effect, the basis of modern solar cells, while conducting experiments on electrolytic cells.
Advancements in Solar: 1900s to Mid-Century
Edmond Becquerel’s discovery paved the way for the first solar cell. In 1954, researchers at Bell Laboratories created a silicon solar cell capable of converting solar energy into electricity with 6 percent efficiency. While this may not sound very impressive by today’s standards, it was a game-changer in the early days of solar power.
The Birth of Solar Lighting: 1960s to 1980s
As humanity began to realize the potential of solar energy, it didn’t take long for the innovations to pour in. The space race of the 1960s accelerated the development of solar technology, with NASA using small solar cells to power satellites. Around the same time, PV-powered navigational aids and illumination took to the streets, marking the dawn of solar lighting.
One of the earliest solar-powered public lighting experiments was the Papago Park Solar Demonstration Project (1974). Solar panels and batteries were used to illuminate dust storm warning signs, and a microgrid was used to power a test bed of solar streetlights.
In 1980, the University of Delaware’s Solar Park featured one of the first large-scale solar-powered street lighting systems on its campus in Newark, Delaware. At the same time, projects were springing up in France, India, and Japan. The systems used solar panel and batteries and often featured the newly developed CFL and DC ballasts.
Solar Energy Gains Momentum: The 1990s to 2000s
During this period, solar energy truly began to dazzle in the limelight. Governments around the world launched initiatives to promote clean energy, driving solar power to the forefront of public consciousness. This resulted in a rapid increase in solar panels on homes as well as broader commercial and industrial applications, including street lighting.
The 1996 Summer Olympics, held in Atlanta, Georgia, featured one of the earliest large-scale uses of solar lighting for a major sporting event. The lighting project, known as the Atlanta 1996 Olympic Solar Lighting Project, aimed to showcase the use of renewable energy and sustainable technologies during the games.
During the Iraq War, which took place between 2003 and 2011, there was a significant emphasis on using renewable energy sources such as solar power to reduce the reliance on traditional fuel-based generators and to enhance energy efficiency in military operations. Solar lights were particularly valuable in providing illumination for military bases, checkpoints, and other areas, especially in remote and off-grid locations, where access to stable electrical grids was limited. Thousands of solar streetlights were deployed in the region.
Until the early 2000s, the inefficiency of CFL and HID lamps and the dependence on lead acid battery technology limited the applications for solar street lighting. However, the development of LEDs, direct optics, and new battery technologies have expanded the practical use of solar street lighting. In many communities, solar streetlights are more cost effective, resilient, and reliable than aging grid-tied solutions.
Modern Marvels: The Use of Solar Energy Today
Fast forward to today, and solar power isn’t a mere novelty or curiosity—it’s a viable solution to the global energy crisis. Solar panels now adorn the rooftops of homes and businesses all over the world, providing clean energy with no emissions. Governments continue to invest in renewable sources like solar, driving down costs and furthering technological progress. From lightbulbs to electric cars, solar energy is powering a wide range of products and services today.
Fonroche Lighting America is a prime example of the advancements the solar industry has made to date. Our solar-power street lighting systems harness the power of the sun to light up our streets at night, providing illumination without tapping into the electrical grid. This innovative approach helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions, municipal energy costs, and reliance on fossil fuels. To learn more about our solar-powered street lighting solutions, contact us today!
The Future of Solar Energy and Lighting
As our journey through the history of solar energy and lighting comes to an end, it’s clear that the future is bright. With advancements in solar technology continually pushing the boundaries of efficiency and affordability, we can expect to see solar energy play an even more significant role in our lives—from powering our homes to lighting our streets. It’s an exciting prospect and one that will help create a more sustainable future for us all.
