19/08/2026
Solar cells are almost 150 years old.
Yes, you read that correctly. đł
When you look at a solar panel today, you might think:
Ah, this is modern technology.
But the story actually goes way back.
In 1876, William Grylls Adams and his student, Richard Evans Day, discovered that exposing selenium to light could produce electricity.
No moving parts.
No fuel.
Just light producing electricity.
Of course, what they discovered was nowhere near the solar technology we have today. Early solar cells were extremely inefficient.
But that small discovery became one of the foundations for the solar technology we use today.
And here's what fascinates me:
A discovery made almost 150 years ago is still shaping how we think about electricity today.
So the next time sunlight hits your roof, rememberâŠ
You're looking at a technology with a very long history.
Now let's test your guess:
Before seeing this post, how old did you think solar cell technology was?
đđœ Under 20 years | 20â50 years | 50â100 years | Over 100 years
Let's see who got it right. đ
And hope you learnt something today....
