[vc_row css_animation=”” row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”full_width” angled_section=”no” text_align=”left” background_image_as_pattern=”without_pattern” css=”.vc_custom_1575480380268{padding-bottom: 40px !important;}” z_index=””][vc_column][vc_column_text]Solar has an interesting history that dates back to the 7th Century BC. It started with the use of the sun as a means to start fires by a magnifying glass which concentrates the suns energy. Does it sound familiar? There is even a legend that in 212 BC, the Greek scientist Archimedes used the reflective properties of bronze shields to burn Roman wooden ships. Although there is no evidence verifying this feat, the Greek navy recreated the experiment in 1973 from 50 meters (164 feet) away. The Greek navy was successful at starting a wooden boat on fire.
The birth of photovoltaics took place in Bell labs in 1954 when Daryl Chapin, Calvin Fuller, and Gerald Pearson developed (PV) the silicon photovoltaic cell. These cells were capable of converting enough of the sun’s energy to run common electrical equipment. Bell Labs developed a silicon cell with 4% efficiency and eventually achieved 11% efficiency. Technical progress of silicon solar cells doubled their efficiency in 18 months, but commercial success never became a reality for Bell Labs. One of the main reasons was the cost per watt at approximately $300.00 in 1956, while a commercial power plant cost 50¢ a watt.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css_animation=”” row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”full_width” angled_section=”no” text_align=”left” background_image_as_pattern=”without_pattern” css=”.vc_custom_1575480372811{padding-bottom: 40px !important;}” z_index=””][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”412″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center” qode_css_animation=””][vc_column_text]Then in the 1950’s, the space race saved the silicon cell. It was the Army and Air Force that recognized silicon cells as the ideal power for top-secret projects. Unfortunately, NASA instead of launching the first satellite using this technology, decided to use chemical batteries. Dr. Hans Ziegler, the world’s foremost expert on satellites, argued with the Navy stating that conventional batteries would run out of power where solar cells would not. Eventually, the Navy gave in and built a dual power system of batteries and silicon solar cells. Just as Ziegler had predicted, the batteries failed after a week or so, and the silicon solar cells kept the Vanguard communicating with Earth for years.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”413″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center” qode_css_animation=””][vc_column_text]hore on rigs or in some desolate area where there was no power, petrol companies used solar for energy because batteries were not a reasonable solution. In addition, the Coast Guard, Telecom Australia, and Southern Railway were vital to the progress of the solar industry.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css_animation=”” row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”full_width” angled_section=”no” text_align=”left” background_image_as_pattern=”without_pattern” css=”.vc_custom_1575480389899{padding-bottom: 30px !important;}” z_index=””][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”446″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center” qode_css_animation=””][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”447″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center” qode_css_animation=””][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css_animation=”” row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”full_width” angled_section=”no” text_align=”left” background_image_as_pattern=”without_pattern”][vc_column][vc_column_text]
As closing remarks we want to remind you that USD does auditing for our customers when we obtain modules for you. We work for you to obtain best pricing and quality audited panels: our dedicated electrical, environmental, and mechanical testing systems. Utilizing dedicated characterization systems ensures optimal data quality and repeatability. USD’s partners calibrated equipment base is closely maintained to ensure optimal availability and reliability. Our specialized services are available for product and process qualification, raw material and supplier evaluation, ongoing reliability testing (ORT), risk assessment, lot acceptance, energy yield evaluation, and more.
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