You don’t have to have extensive scientific knowledge or a construction management degree to know that solar power is not a new idea.  After the 1839 discovery that a solar cell could convert sunlight into electricity, and, later, the 1876 discovery that a solid material could change sunlight into electricity without extensive moving parts or heat by William Grylls Adams, the western world became fascinated with solar power and its possibilities. Though costly and impractical, Auguste Mouchout created the first ever solar powers steam engine as early as 1861.

And even back then, solar energy was old news. Ancient Greeks, Romans, and North American Native Indians began recognizing and harnessing its powers as far back as 400 B.C.

Though the power of the sun and the benefits of utilizing it have been around almost as long as man has been, we didn’t really begin looking at it in mainstream applications until the 1950s. Given the depletion of global fossil fuels and the problems associated with them, we’re now in the position of needing this technology. Everyone from builders, manufacturers, and even standard office or residential buildings, has been embracing the sun as the renewable and versatile power that it’s always been. Our younger generations are being taught at every level of education- from primary school up to university students earning a construction management degree- how important and essential solar power is for our world.

Almost no new construction in the western world is completed without a keen eye on its environmental impact and this means that solar power technologies are being streamlined and made assessable in applications large and small. By the time the 90s rolled around well over a million homes could boast some type of solar power installation.

For also long as we can remember, the sun has always warmed us and lighted our way. In today’s world, we rely on those things more than ever before. With every new advancement or installation of solar power, the sun continues to shine down on us, as though beckoning us to find even more ways to harness its near limitless power.