Happy 60th Birthday, Solar!  

Gizmodo recently celebrated the 60th anniversary of the creation of the solar cell with a look at the evolution of the technology throughout the decades.

April 25, 1954, Bell Labs in New Jersey, USA unveiled their research into the first solar cell that could convert sunlight into a meaningful amount of electricity. Engineer Daryl Chapin, physicist Gerald Pearson and chemist Calvin Fuller used silicon (the substance that would later prove the catalyst for the technological age) to convert radiation into an electrical current.

Soon after solar panels were used to make the world’s first solar powered telephone call, and within a decade solar technology had been integrated into radios, cars, boats and shortly after, the more ubiquitous watches and calculators.

I’m sure that the creators never envisioned the achievements of solar travel, from races across the continent in solar powered vehicles to airplanes that are capable of flight powered only by the sun to drones delivering internet access to remote parts of the globe. (Let alone powering our homes and businesses!)

Nigel Morris at Solar Business recalls the pioneering efforts of Han’s Tholstrup who, with the help of racing legend Larry Perkins, set out to cross Australia from Perth to Sydney using only solar cells to power his vehicle.

“Tholstrup not only successfully completed the journey with the help of motor racing legend Larry Perkins, but they completed the 4,084km journey far faster than they expected in just 20 days using solar cells that were 10% efficient, almost half of what they are today. The total running cost was a few tyres, some spokes for the bicycle wheels and of course, 20c for the toll on the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Tholstrup joked with the toll booth operator “Here you go mate, its your first solar car 20c””

A film crew documented the journey and the whole 50 minute feature can be found online (see the below clip).