Document Type
Article
Publication Date
2009
Publication Title
Technology Teacher
Volume
68
Issue
6
Pages
11-18
Abstract
The article discusses the development of photovoltaic technology. The first account of the use of solar power during war in western civilization was in the second century B.C. during the battle of Syracuse with Archimedes' famed Death Ray. In the late 1800s and early 1900s many advances occurred including the invention of solar-powered engines, the discovery of the photoconductivity of selenium and its ability to produce electricity when exposed to light, and the construction of the first solar cells from selenium wafers. Photovoltaic technology was born in the U.S. in 1954 when Daryl Chapin, Calvin Fuller, and Gerald Pearson developed the silicon photovoltaic cell at Bell Labs. The different types of photovoltaic manufacturing processes are discussed.
Rights
© 2009 International Technology Education Association, now International Technology & Engineering Educators Association.
Included with the kind written permission of the copyright holders.
Original Publication Citation
Katsioloudis, P., Bondi, S., & Deal, W. (2009). Energy from the skies: Empowering future generations. Technology Teacher, 68(6), 11-18.
Repository Citation
Katsioloudis, Petros J.; Bondi, Stella; and Deal, Walter F., "Energy From The Skies: Empowering Future Generations" (2009). STEMPS Faculty Publications. 277.
https://digitalcommons.odu.edu/stemps_fac_pubs/277