Solar power was first discovered by French physicist Edmond Becquerel in 1839 at the young age of 19. At the time, Becquerel was experimenting in his father's lab when he observed the photovoltaic effect, a process that generates electricity when exposed to sunlight. . Long before the first Earth Day was celebrated on April 22, 1970, generating awareness about the environment and support for environmental protection, scientists were making the first discoveries in solar energy. Swiss scientist Horace de Saussure was credited with building the world's first solar collector, later used by Sir John Herschel to cook food during his South Africa expedition in the 1830s. The word “Photovoltaic” takes us to the beginning of solar history: “Photo” meaning light. . Today's rooftop installations trace their lineage through brilliant inventors, accidental discoveries, and Cold War space races—transforming sunlight into the clean electricity that powers millions of homes. The journey from laboratory curiosity to your neighbor's roof involved dozens of innovators. .
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