Oldest Solar Panel Manufacturer

Solar panels are one of the most eco-friendly inventions that the modern world has seen. Every solar panel uses sunlight and converts it into electricity by using photovoltaic cells. Solar panels are good for the planet because they reduce greenhouse emissions and are a clean source of energy. After solar energy was discovered, the world witnessed new advances in technology 

In this article, we’re going to look more closely at some of the oldest solar panel manufacturers in the world and how long they’ve been around. Let’s get right into it. 

4. Exxon Corporation

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This manufacturer might come as a surprise to you, but did you know that Exxon played an important role in solar panel manufacturing back in the day? They don’t manufacture solar panels anymore, but they helped fund and develop affordable solar panels in the early 70s. 

Back then, before solar panel manufacturing was what it is today, the Exxon Corporation helped Dr. Elliot Berman design cheaper solar cells. They helped him reduce costs by nearly 80%, and as a result, solar panels were able to lighthouses, oil and gas rigs, and even railroad crossings. 

Did you know? 

After Exxon helped Dr. Elliot Berman, solar applications became commonly used in more remote and rural areas where people could not use grid-connected utilities.

3. Bells Lab

Photo Source: Wikimedia Commons

The first solar panels were made at Bell Labs in 1940. A scientist named Russell Shoemaker Ol was researching silicon samples when he noticed that one of them had a crack in the middle. After observing it more carefully, he realized that a current flowed through it when it was exposed to sunlight. He went on to patent his discovery, and a few years later, a bigger team of scientists and researchers created the first-ever solar panel. 

Gerald Pearson, Calvin Fuller, and Daryl Chapin were the primary scientists working on solar panels. After months of research, they debuted their discovery and powered a child’s toy with solar power. As time went on, they simplified the process of manufacturing solar panels so that they would be easier to market. 

Did you know? 

Bells Lab is currently owned by Nokia.

2. First Solar

Photo Source: Wikimedia Commons

First Solar is an American company that is known for manufacturing solar panels. This company was founded back in 1990, but went through a rebrand after being bought by True North Partners, LLC. 

They are widely known for the solar panels that they manufacture. First Solar tends to sell its products to independent power producers, solar project developers, and even system integrators. 

Did you know? 

First Solar is the fourth-largest solar company in the world, as of data procured from a 2022 study.

1. JinkoSolar

Photo Source: Wikimedia Commons

JinkoSolar is another of the oldest solar panel manufacturers in the world. While this company sells solar cells today, it didn’t always sell solar products. The company started out by producing silicon ingots but eventually pivoted to manufacturing solar cells. 

As the years have passed, this company is most well-known for its solar cells and for being one of the members of the Silicon Module Super League.

Did you know? 

JinkoSolar is famous for being the company in the solar industry that had the shortest time between becoming a new establishment to having a public listing.

Conclusion

In this article, we took you through a list of some of the oldest solar panel manufacturers in the world. It’s important to note that tracing the history of a typical solar panel manufacturer was more challenging than expected, because while solar cells have a long and detailed history, the number of manufacturers is quite small! We hope you learned something new from this article.