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History Of Solar Energy
Learning about the history of solar energy can be a real eye-opener.
In fact, most people do not realize just how far back the history of solar energy goes, which could be why so many people haven't taken advantage of this powerful source of energy.
Take a look at some of the more important milestones in the history of solar energy and find out where its future is pointing, too. For many people, there is a bright future with the use of solar power.
Perhaps the first time that researchers see the history of solar energy is way back in ancient Greeks times, in the 4th century BC. At that time, wood, which was the source of most fuel become very scarce and so other sources were sought.
Socrates is credited with being the first to understand passive solar use. He provided several key important elements including the fact that the main rooms of your home should face south and that the north side of buildings will need some sort of shield from cold winds.
Later, in 212 BC, another famous history figure, Archimedes, was able to harness solar energy to win an attack over the Roman navy who was at that point attacking Syracuse. To do so, he had the soldiers of the arm reflect sunlight off of their shields and at the Roman sails, which burnt them and left the entire army helpless.
If you look a bit more recent in the history of solar energy you will see it used by the Romans around the 1st century AD. Then, they recognized the greenhouse effect and used glass to trap in the heat of the sun.
They also used dark colors and their pottery to help store some of the thermal energy from the sun. In 37 AD, the first greenhouse was created all for the effort of growing cucumbers for Tiberius Caesar.
In addition to this history of solar energy, you will also find that ancient civilizations also used solar energy to accomplish the goals of heating and water evaporation, and other forms as well.
These civilizations include the early Chinese, Pueblo and Anasazi cultures.
In the 1500's, there is the next example of the history of solar energy when Leonardo da Vinci was about to conceive the idea of the parabolic mirror concentrator. In the 1700's, Antoine La Voisier built the very first solar furnace, which had the ability to melt platinum.
The history of solar energy is interesting because many people don't realize just how far back it goes. In the 1900's, solar energy exploded as an option for providing many benefits.
Solar Energy Specific links
Solar Energy News
US-China trade tensions worsen amid solar energy row - Pittsburgh Post Gazette
 Los Angeles Times | US-China trade tensions worsen amid solar energy row Pittsburgh Post Gazette By Joe McDonald, AP AP Chinese workers examine solar panels at a manufacturer of photovoltaic products in Huaibei in central China's Anhui province. On Friday, China's government rejected a US anti-dumping ruling against its makers of solar power ... US orders tariffs on Chinese solar panels Stiff tariffs in works on China solar panels US Slaps High Tariffs on Chinese Solar Panels |
Dominion Power rate pitch encourages solar power - Virginia Gazette
 PV-Tech | Dominion Power rate pitch encourages solar power Virginia Gazette RICHMOND -- Dominion Virginia Power took a second step today to add more of the sun's energy to its electricity grid by proposing a new rate that includes a premium to encourage customers to install solar panels and sell the electricity to the company. Dominion proposes premium for solar power Virginia Utility Proposes New Solar Energy Program For Residential Customers Dominion applies to offer premium for solar energy generation |
Solar Energy Securitization on the Horizon as Industry Players Look for New ... - CleanTechnica
 Hydrogen Fuel News | Solar Energy Securitization on the Horizon as Industry Players Look for New ... CleanTechnica The recent US residential housing and mortgage market collapse gave securitization a bad name, but the practice of aggregating and dicing up residential solar PV system leases and commercial solar power purchase agreements (PPAs) is bound to play a ... Here comes the sun: Solar catching on in Illinois, too Solar sector looks to Saudi plan Saudi Arabia announced $100 billion investment in solar energy |
Bright Future for Solar Power in Space - Green Building Elements
 Astrobiology Magazine | Bright Future for Solar Power in Space Green Building Elements Solar power gathered in space could be set to provide the renewable energy of the future thanks to innovative research being carried out by engineers at the University of Strathclyde, Glasgow. Researchers at the University have already tested equipment ... Space-based Solar Power Systems a Step Closer to Reality Beaming solar power back to earth Using Cellular Membranes to Capture Solar Energy in Space |
QTS Commits to Solar Power Generation at its Richmond and Atlanta Data Centers - San Francisco Chronicle (press release)
 DatacenterDynamics | QTS Commits to Solar Power Generation at its Richmond and Atlanta Data Centers San Francisco Chronicle (press release) Company announces additional energy efficiency enhancements in compliance with its Green Program. Overland Park, Kan. (PRWEB) May 17, 2012 Key Highlights: QTS announces the upcoming construction of solar power installation at its Richmond and Atlanta ... Web Host QTS to Bring Solar Power to Data Centers in $10M Green Investment Datacenter operator QTS invests $1M+ in rooftop solar |