Skip Navigation to main content U.S. Department of Energy U.S. Department of Energy Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
Bringing you a prosperous future where energy is clean, abundant, reliable, and affordable EERE Home
Solar Energy Technologies Program
 
About the ProgramProgram AreasInformation ResourcesFinancial OpportunitiesTechnologiesDeploymentHome
Concentrating Solar Power
Photovoltaics
Solar Heating
Solar Lighting
Solar FAQ
Solar Glossary
Solar Timeline 7th Century B.C. - 1200s A.D. 1767 - 1800s 1900s 2000s The Future

Solar Timeline

Photo of solar powered cars racing during the 2002 Sunrayce contest.

The U.S. Department of Energy is a proud supporter of American Solar Challenge, a biennial solar-powered car race for colleges and universities in North America. Students design, build and race their custom-designed vehicles on a designated cross country route. The competition inspires students to work in teams, promotes out-of-the-box thinking, and encourages forward thinking.

Solar technology isn't new. It probably started some time in the 7th Century B.C., when people learned how to use glass and sunlight to light a fire. But today's sophisticated solar technologies include everything from solar-powered lights and buildings to solar-powered vehicles.

Here, you can learn more about some major milestones in the historical development of solar energy technologies. You will also get a glimpse of "the solar future."