1839 With the discovery of the photoelectric effect by Becquerel in the history of photovoltaic begins.
1876
With the proof of the photoelectric effect by Adams and Day in a selenium crystal, electricity is generated from light for the first time.
1904
The investigation of the Photo-Hall effect lays the foundation for the development of photovoltaic cells, the photo-electricity and the light quantum hypothesis.
1905
The photoelectric effect is explained by Einstein.
1918
Cozchralski develops a process for producing mono-crystalline material.
1921
For its explanation of the photoelectric effect, Einstein received the Nobel Prise.
1954
The first silicon cells (efficiency 4%) are produced by Chapin, Fuller and Pearson.
1956
Start of terrestrial applications for a relay station for a telephone line in Georgia.
1958
The first satellite equipped with solar panels is launched into space.
1976
The production of the first amorphous silicon solar cells begins.
1977
The worldwide photovoltaic production exceeds 500 kW for the first time.
1983
On the island of Pellworm, the first German and largest European PV power system with 300 kWp goes into trial mode.
1991
In Germany, the electricity savings law comes into force and through the payment of 8.49 cents per kilowatt hour (kWh) to first standardised systems in the home range (1-5 kWh). The first photovoltaic facade of the world is built in Aachen.
1992
E.ON in Flanitzhütte introduces the first European permanently inhabited settlement for a self-sufficient "power island" controlled by photovoltaics.
1994
As part of the "sun in the school" progam, E.ON provides 544 Bavarian schools regular with kits to build your own PV system for teaching purposes. E.ON Bavaria starts with "Citizens for solar power" in Unterföhring near Munich, the first citizen participation system of its type.
1997
At the Munich fair, the largest PV rooftop system, with an installed capacity of 1 MW, is put into operation. A total of 14 MW of PV installed in Germany.
1999
For the first time, the cumulative global PV capacity of 1.000 KW is reached.
2000
The Renewable Energy Sources Act (EEG) in Germany comes into force.
2002
The cumulative global PV capacity reached 2,000 KW.
2004
The cumulative global PV capacity reached 4,000 KW.
2007
The facility at Munich Riem / Munich trade fair facility celebrates 10 years of service. There were nearly 10 million kWh of electricity fed and therefore the creation of 6,500 tonnes of CO2 has been avoided.
