| Mankind's use of solar energy has a history that dates | | | | the panels' popularity. But the price of the panels and |
| back centuries. Archimedes, renowned Greek | | | | their installation can still be prohibitive to many individuals |
| mathematician and scientist, used the concentrated | | | | attracted by their "green," earth-friendly footprint. Most |
| reflections of soldiers' brass shields to set fire to | | | | homes require a substantial investment to install a |
| enemy ships during the 2nd century B.C.E. By the 6th | | | | system powerful enough to replace electricity and |
| century A.D., the Roman emperor Justinian placed so | | | | fossil fuels, and some experts have estimated it can |
| much value on the sun's warming energy that he | | | | take several decades for a solar panel system to pay |
| established "sun rights," laws guaranteeing every | | | | for itself. |
| individual's right to enjoy sunshine. | | | | But despite its high cost and long "payback" time, solar |
| For centuries thereafter, scientists courted the sun and | | | | is still attractive to many homeowners. Thousands of |
| its potent heat and energy. In 1767, Swiss scientist | | | | homeowners take the plunge every year and convert |
| Horace de Saussure constructed the world's first solar | | | | their homes to solar power. In addition to eschewing |
| collector. In 1883, American scientist Charles Fritts | | | | fossil fuels and creating a more earth-friendly profile, |
| published a description of the first solar cells made | | | | solar energy can allow homeowners to live "off the |
| from thin sheets of selenium, and in 1908, Carnegie | | | | grid," disconnecting from the stranglehold of major |
| Steel employee William Bailey invented a solar | | | | utilities like electric, oil, and natural gas. What's more, |
| collector composed of copper coils contained in an | | | | when a home's system makes more electricity than it |
| insulated box, a design which is still in use today. | | | | needs, the homeowner can sell that extra electricity |
| Through 1953, solar energy use was of the passive | | | | back to the local electrical utility. Don't get too excited: |
| kind. But in 1954, solar energy took a new turn, as Bell | | | | even with that benefit, solar systems can still take |
| Labs developed the first solar cell that was able to | | | | decades to pay for themselves. |
| produce enough electrical current to run common | | | | But just as the solar energy industry has evolved over |
| electrical appliances and equipment. Twenty years | | | | the past millennia, homeowners interested in |
| later, University of Delaware researchers introduced | | | | incorporating these shiny panels into their home's |
| the world to the power of solar panels, with the | | | | design should keep their eyes open: tax breaks, |
| construction of Solar One, one of the world's first | | | | advances in solar technology and increased |
| solar-powered homes. | | | | competition among solar panel manufacturers have |
| Today, solar panels are used in all types of | | | | caused considerable price drops in recent years. If |
| construction, from residential to commercial to | | | | your home is situated in a position to soak up the rays, |
| government buildings. Tax credits and a shift toward | | | | and you're planning on staying put for awhile, solar |
| more sustainable fuel resources have helped increase | | | | panel installation might be a wise investment for you. |