Solar Power
The principle of photovoltaic power (converting
light into electricity) was discovered in 1836 when
it was found that sunlight striking a surface emits
electrons. With positive and negative poles a DC
current could be obtained. With the development of
solar cells and solid state electronics, solar
power generators have become reliable alternatives
to the power grid. These can be stand-alone
systems, such as are currently in use to power
entire hospitals in Zaire and remote archeological
digs, or they can be portable.