The history of solar cells is extensive, with countless discoveries leading to the advances in solar cell technology. Below are a few of the accomplishments.

The introduction of solar cell technology begins as early as 1839. French physicist, Antione-Cesar Becquerel, observed the photovoltaic effect while experimenting with a solid electrode in an electrolyte solution. He noticed a voltage generated when light fell upon the electrode.

Nearly 50 years later, Charles Fritts, an American inventor, spent endless hours creating the first true solar cell. In an attempt to prove to his friends that sunlight could be converted into electricity. The first true solar cells, using junctions, were formed by coating the selenium semiconductor with an extremely thin, nearly transparent layer of gold. As a result of the properties of selenium, Fritt's cells had a conversion efficiency of only about 1%. The high cost of materials, in addition to its inefficiency prevented the use of such cells for energy supply.

The Fritts' first solar cell is shown below. Which had been purchased at an auction by an auctions dealer, only to be forgotten in a box for 60 years. To much suprise the device still works after being re-discovered. Link to Full Article

In 1953 Photovoltaic technology is born in the United States. Gerald Pearson, an empirical physicist, unintentionally developed a substantially more efficient photovoltaic cell from silicon as opposed to the traditional selenium. The following year, Gerald Pearson, Daryl Chapin, and Calvin Fuller developed the first silicon photovoltaic cell at Bell Laboratories. The silicon solar cell developed had a 4% efficiency and later achieved 11% efficiency. The device was the first solar cell capable of converting enough of the sun's energy into power to run electrical equipment.