Solar energy is the energy generated by the sun and radiated through space, mostly as visible and near-infrared light. It sustains nearly all life on Earth. When sunlight strikes a surface on our planet, thermal energy, also called heat, is produced
The world will need much more energy to power homes and fuel transport for a growing population with rising living standards. But to counter climate change, energy must increasingly come from lower-carbon sources. Our know-how, technology, and innovations are helping to deliver more, cleaner energy. Urban air quality has become a visible issue and a major catalyst for change. The impacts of climate change and the need for universal access combine, shifts in behavior and investments are driven by broader public awareness or energy issues. For the oil and gas industry, AI can help lower costs, reduce downtime, increase production and asset utilization, and drive efficiency.
Read MoreIn theory, solar energy was used by humans as early as the 7th century B.C. when history tells us that humans used sunlight to light fires with magnifying glass materials. Later, in the 3rd century B.C., the Greeks and Romans were known to harness solar power with mirrors to light torches for religious ceremonies. The development of solar panel technology was an iterative one that took a few contributions from various scientists. Naturally, there is some debate about when exactly they were created and who should be credited for the invention. Some people credit the invention of the solar cell to French scientist Edmond Becquerel, who determined that light could increase electricity generation when two metal electrodes were placed into a conducting solution. This breakthrough, defined as the “photovoltaic effect,” was influential in later PV developments with the element selenium.
Watch Video
