U.S. Department of Energy - Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

Solar Energy Technologies Program

Solar History Timeline: 2000s

This timeline lists many milestones in the historical development of solar technology from the year 2000 onward.

2000 | 2001 | 2002

2000


First Solar begins production at the Perrysburg, Ohio, photovoltaic manufacturing plant, the world's largest at the time; estimates indicate that it can produce enough solar panels each year to generate 100 megawatts of power.

At the International Space Station, astronauts begin installing solar panels on what will be the largest solar power array deployed in space. Each "wing" of the array consists of 32,800 solar cells.

Industry Researchers develop a new inverter for solar electric systems that increases safety during power outages. Inverters convert the direct current (DC) electrical output of solar systems to alternating current (AC) — the standard for household wiring as well as for power lines to homes.

Two new thin-film solar modules developed by BP Solarex break previous performance records. The company's 0.5-square-meter module has a 10.8% conversion efficiency — the highest in the world for similar thin-film modules. Its 0.9-square-meter module achieves 10.6% efficiency and a power output of 91.5 watts — the highest in the world for a thin-film module.

The 12-kilowatt solar electric system of a Morrison, Colorado, family is the largest residential installation in the United States to be registered with the U.S. Department of Energy's Million Solar Roofs program. The system provides most of the electricity for the family of eight's 6,000-square-foot home.

2001


Home Depot begins selling residential solar power systems in three stores in San Diego, California. A year later it expands sales to 61 stores nationwide.

NASA's solar-powered aircraft Helios sets a new world altitude record for non-rocket-powered craft: 96,863 feet (more than 18 miles up).
Photo of NASA's Helios prototype flying wing on its first test flight on solar power.

The Helios prototype flying wing is shown near the Hawaiian Islands during its first test flight on solar power. (Credit: NASA, Dryden Flight Research Center Photo Collection)

The National Space Development Agency of Japan, NASDA, announces plans to develop a satellite-based solar power system that beams energy back to Earth. A satellite with large solar panels would use laser technology to transmit solar power to an airship at an altitude of about 12 miles; the airship would then transmit power to Earth.

TerraSun LLC develops a unique method of using holographic films to concentrate sunlight onto a solar cell. Fresnel lenses or mirrors are usually used to concentrate sunlight, but TerraSun claims that holographic optics are more selective, allowing light not needed for power production to pass through the transparent modules so they can be used as skylights.

PowerLight Corporation connects the world's largest hybrid solar-wind power system to the grid in Hawaii. Its solar energy capacity — 175 kilowatts — is larger than its wind energy capacity — 50 kilowatts; this is somewhat unusual for hybrid power systems.

British Petroleum and BP Solar announce the opening of a service station in Indianapolis that features a solar-electric canopy. The station is the first U.S. "BP Connect" store, a model that BP intends to use for new or revamped BP service stations. The canopy contains translucent photovoltaic modules made of thin films of silicon deposited on glass.

2002


NASA conducts two successful tests of a solar-powered, remote-controlled aircraft called Pathfinder Plus. In July, researchers demonstrate the aircraft's use as a high-altitude platform for telecommunications technologies. In September, it's tested for use as an aerial imaging system for coffee growers.
Photo of NASA's Pathfinder Plus-a lightweight, solar-powered, remotely piloted flying wing aircraft.

The Pathfinder Plus — a lightweight, solar-powered, remotely piloted flying wing aircraft — demonstrates how solar technology can be used for long-duration, high-altitude flight. The aircraft could stay airborne for weeks or months on scientific sampling and imaging missions. Solar arrays cover most of the upper wing surface to provide power for electric motors, avionics, communications, and other electronic systems. A backup battery system can provide power for 2 to 5 hours and allow brief flights after dark. (Credit: NASA, Dryden Flight Research Center Photo Collection)


The Union Pacific Railroad installs 350 blue-signal rail yard lanterns, which incorporate energy-saving light-emitting diode (LED) technology and solar cells, at the large North Platt, Nebraska, rail yard.

ATS Automation Tooling Systems Inc. in Canada begins commercializing spheral solar technology. Employing tiny silicon beads bonded between two sheets of aluminum foil, this solar-cell technology uses much less silicon than conventional multicrystalline silicon solar cells, thus potentially reducing costs. The technology was first championed in the early 1990s by Texas Instruments, but TI later discontinued work on it.

The largest solar power facility in the Northwest — the 38.7-kilowatt White Bluffs Solar Station — goes online in Richland, Washington.

PowerLight Corporation installs the largest rooftop solar power system in the United States — a 1.18-megawatt system at the Santa Rita Jail in Dublin, California.
Photo of the fourth largest solar electric system in the world in Dublin, California.

In Spring 2002, the fourth largest solar electric system in the world began operating atop the Santa Rita Jail in Dublin, California. This solar installation, the largest U.S. rooftop system, helps Alameda County reduce and stabilize energy costs. The jail uses 30% less utility-generated electricity because of this solar power generation and energy conservation measures. The 1.18-megawatt photovoltaic system covers three acres. (Credit: PowerLight Corporation)