The sun, a natural resource

SOLAR ENERGY! Or in other words, the energy released by the sun through nuclear reactions and sent to our planet. The sun, reaching a surface temperature of 6,000 °C and 16,000,000 °C at the core is, nevertheless, classified by astronomers as a star of spectral class G2 (G2 is the equivalent of a common "utility vehicle" in car language) and it is the nearest and most powerful energy source known to man. It is a natural and vital resource, supplying heat and light for all living organisms on Earth.  It causes the water of our seas and oceans to evaporate and the vapour migrates in the form of clouds to then fall as rain, it is capable of influencing our mood and our habits but most importantly it is a infinite source of energy, which does not pollute and which,above all, is free.

The first experiments carried out to harness this precious natural resource date back to 1839 when the French physicist Edmond Bequerel discovered the photovoltaic effect and presented his theory "Memoirs of the electrical effects produced under the influence of the Sun's rays" to the Accademy of Science in Paris. In the years to follow there were other experiments and theories but it was only in 1954 that the first silicon solar cell was developed and rendered commercially viable. The cell was created in the Bell laboratories but due to high production costs, it was restricted to space and military use.

Starting from the 1970s, reductions in manufacturing costs convinced the big companies operating in the energy sector to study and invest in photovoltaic systems, thus developing the first installations for "terrestrial and/or civilian" use.

Today, the focus is on improving the efficiency of photovoltaic systems and on lowering the production costs.