Solar Industry Timeline

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.

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.

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

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

The Blackstar™ is built for dicing silicon wafers and using ASP's patented method for wafer dicing.

The FL600™ is created for patterning and coating removal sold to the Flat Panel Display industry.

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.