"The essentials of a phenomenom are best understood if one tries to explore their rise from the very beginnings" (Aristotle)

John Perlin* provides a historical summary of the 3 major solar energy subjects - photovoltaics, solar thermal, and passive solar architecture. The focus here is on how we have learned to capture sunlight and use it to make electricity, heat water and heat our homes.

*John Perlin is the author of "From Space to Earth - The Story of Solar Electricity", "A Golden Thread - 2500 Years of Solar Architecture and Technology"[with Ken Butti], and "A Forest Journey: The Role of Wood in the Development of Civilization".

Questions, comments, suggestions about this section can be sent to perlin@rahus.org