How does solar power work?

Solar power works by turning the sun’s energy into power we can use. It gives us two kinds of energy – electricity and heat. We get these by using solar panels. These panels come in different sizes, from those on house roofs to big ‘solar farms’ covering lots of land in the countryside. 

Is solar power a clean energy source?

Yes, solar power is a renewable and never-ending source of energy that doesn’t make bad greenhouse gases – as long as the sun keeps shining, we get energy. Solar panels don’t have a big carbon footprint because they last for more than 25 years. Also, the stuff used in making the panels is getting recycled more, so the carbon footprint keeps getting smaller.

When was solar power first discovered?

People started using solar power way back in the 7th century B.C. They used sunlight to light fires by bouncing it off shiny things. But the official discovery of the kind of solar power we know today happened in 1839. A young French scientist, Edmond Becquerel, found out that when he shone light on a special cell, it made electricity. The practical solar cells we use now were made in 1954 by Daryl Chapin, Calvin Fuller, and Gerald Pearson. They created the first solar cell that could turn sunlight into useful electricity.