2. Did you know that solar power was used for thousands of years? In the 1940’s, Edmond Becquerel discovered photovalic activity, which means that the electric current in some thing increases when exposed to light. This led to the invention of PV panels, aka the solar panels that turn the sun’s rays into electricity. Albert Einstein discovered the photoelectric effect, which is one of the principles of PV activity. In the 1950’s, AT&T labs made silicon solar cells. These days, researchers developed cells with 20% efficiencies, or convertible energy. Dr. Elliot Berman made more efficient solar cells. The Vanguard 1 was the first solar powered satellite. In the energy crisis in the 1970’s inspired nations to use solar, thermal, and wind energy.

3. Solar energy comes from the sun and it’s rays. There are actually two types of solar energy, light energy and heat energy. Regular solar panels are used for heating things like water and air. That is an example of what solar heat is. PV panels turn the sunlight into electricity. In solar powered cars, this is the transition of energy; light solar energy, electrical energy, mechanical energy, and then kinetic energy. The energy from the solar panel turns into electrical energy, and when it gets to the motor, it turns into mechanical energy, then when it goes to the tires, it turns into kinetic energy, forcing the tires to move.

4. The word solar comes from the name of the Greek sun god, Sol. If you want to learn more things about solar energy, go to www.makeitsolar.com.