This timeline features the key innovations that have advanced the solar industry in the United States. Learn more about these key events from 1955 to present. To see more details, either drag the timeline to the left or right or click the (+) icons.
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Solar Achievements TimelineINSTRUCTIONS
Click and drag screen or scroll mouse wheel to navigate through timeline.
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2011INDUSTRY
DOE announces three recipients for up to $112.5 million in funding to support the U.S. development of advanced manufacturing processes for solar photovoltaic (PV) modules under SunShot Advanced Manufacturing Partnerships.
Credit: U.S. Department of Energy
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2011MARKET
DOE announces details of its SunShot Initiative, with the goal of reducing total costs of PV systems by 75% at decade's end, making them competitive with other energy sources.
California increases its renewable portfolio standard (RPS) target to 33% by 2020.
Credit: U.S. Department of Energy
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2005LABORATORY
Sandia National Laboratories researchers at the National Solar Thermal Test Facility begin developing next-generation solar collection dishes.
Credit: Sandia National Laboratories, Randy Montoya
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1997MARKET
President Clinton announces the Million Solar Roofs Initiative, designed to slow greenhouse gas emissions and boost U.S. solar industry. PDF, 3.8MB
Credit: Dennis Schroeder, NREL
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1996LABORATORY
The National Center for Photovoltaics is established to better integrate research efforts at Sandia and NREL.
Credit: Scott Bryant Photography
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1991LABORATORY
DOE designates the Solar Energy Research Institute (SERI) as the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). PDF, 1.6MB
Credit: NREL
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1990LABORATORY
The University of Michigan's first solar car, the Sunrunner, wins the first American Solar Challenge.
Credit: University of Michigan
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1986MARKET TRANSFORMATION
The world's largest solar thermal electric facility is commissioned in Kramer Junction, CA, using mirrors to heat fluid and produce steam to generate electricity.
Credit: United Solar Systems Corp.
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1985LABORATORY
Stanford University creates a solar cell that is 25% efficient using 200X concentration.
Credit: Standford University
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1978MARKET
California passed its Solar Rights Act of 1978, providing that homeowner associations cannot thwart those installing solar energy systems.
Credit: State of California Public Utilities Commission
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1978LABORATORY
DOE boosts PV research on multiple tracks, with the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Sandia, and SERI.
Credit: Sandia National Laboratories
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1977INDUSTRY
An irrigation project in Mead, Nebraska, uses some 100,000 single-crystal silicon solar cells to power irrigation pumps.
Credit: NREL, Dennis Schroeder
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1977INDUSTRY
After the upheavals caused by the oil crisis, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is formed. PDF, 2MB
Credit: U.S. Department of Energy
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1972MARKET TRANSFORMATION
From humble beginnings in the late 1950s, PV solar cells become the dominant power source for about 1,000 U.S. and Russian spacecraft.
Credit: Entech, Inc.
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1970INDUSTRY
Western Electric researchers are granted patent for anti reflective coating for solar cells.
Credit: NREL
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1962INDUSTRY
Bell Telephone Laboratories launch Telstar, the first telecommunications satellite with solar cells that generate 14 watts.
Credit: U.S. Department of Energy
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1959INDUSTRY
Hoffman Electronics creates a 10%-efficiency PV cell that is available commercially.
Credit: U.S. Department of Energy
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1955INDUSTRY
Bell Laboratories researchers overcome technical difficulties to create 6%-efficiency PV cell that can be used for everyday equipment.
Credit: Bell Labs
In 2011, the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Solar Energy Technologies Office (SETO) was tasked with achieving the goals of the SunShot Initiative: to drive down the cost of solar electricity to be fully cost-competitive with traditional energy sources by the end of the decade.
SunShot builds on a tradition of steady collaboration between DOE's Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy program and solar industry pioneers. More than half of all solar cell efficiency records have been directly funded by SETO and 30% of all patents in the solar energy field are linked to patents attributable to the DOE. In fact, without the Energy Department's involvement, the average solar photovoltaic (PV) module production cost per watt would have been $5.27 in 2008 rather than $1.92. DOE research and development efforts have accelerated solar industry progress by an estimated 12 years.
This timeline features the key innovations that have advanced the solar industry in the United States. Learn more about these key events from 1955 to present. To see more details, either drag the timeline to the left or right or click the (+) icons.