According to records, human beings have used solar energy for more than 3000 years.

The use of solar energy as an energy source and power has only a history of more than 300 years.

It is a recent thing to really regard solar energy as "the supplementary energy urgently needed in the near future" and "the foundation of future energy structure".

Since 1970s, solar energy technology has advanced by leaps and bounds, and solar energy utilization has changed with each passing day.

The history of modern solar energy utilization can be counted from 16 15 when French engineer Solomon de Cox invented the world's first solar engine.

The invention relates to a machine which uses solar energy to heat air and expand it to do work and pump water.

During the period of 16 15 ~ 1900, many solar power generation devices and some other solar devices were developed in the world.

Almost all of these power plants collect sunlight by concentrating light, and the engine power is not large. The working medium is mainly water vapor, which is expensive and of little practical value. Most of them are developed and manufactured by solar enthusiasts themselves.

During the 20th century 100, the development history of solar energy technology can be roughly divided into seven stages.