Solar Industry Time Line

1954
Photovoltaic technology is born in the United States — the first solar cell capable of generating enough power from the sun to run everyday electrical equipment. A silicon solar cell with 6% efficiency and later, 11% efficiency is developed.

1960
Photovoltaic cells reach 14% efficiency.

1970
A significantly less costly solar cell is designed, bringing the price down from $100 per watt to $20 per watt. Solar cells begin powering navigation warning lights and horns on offshore gas and oil rigs, lighthouses, and railroad crossings.

1977
Total photovoltaic manufacturing production exceeds 500 kilowatts; 1 kilowatt is enough power to light about ten 100-watt light bulbs.

1985
Researchers at the University of South Wales break the 20% efficiency barrier for silicon solar cells.

1986
The world's first commercial thin-film module is released.

1991
Fonon patents Zero Width laser Cutting Technology as the method that scribes glass on the molecular level causing no micro cracks and increasing the strength.

1998
The Blackstar is built for the dicing silicon wafers and using Fonon’s patented method for wafer dicing.

1999
The FL 600 is created for patterning and coating removal sold to the Flat Panel Display industry.

2007
Advanced Solar Photonics was created with a mission to make the cost per kilowatt of solar panels more affordable by lower manufacturing costs using patented technology, experience and innovation in laser solutions for thin-film and silicon solar panel processing.

2007
Advanced Solar Photonics sells to its first customer