Solar power has undoubtedly come in leaps and bounds from nothing more than a laughable, sci-fi concept to a viable energy source. This terrific Timeline below shows some of the most momentous occasions in the history of solar power, right back to the discovery of the photovoltaic effect in 1839.

As the industry enters the age of unsubsidised competition with cheap fossil fuels, it is more important now than ever to remember just how far solar power has come. Even in the last 50 years, the price of solar panels has fallen from over $1,750 per watt in 1956 all the way to less than $1 per watt by early 2012. The future is even more exciting – as the price of solar power continues to fall and new global markets emerge, are we beginning to see the first signs of a renewable energy revolution?

Our thanks go to Green and Gold Solar for preparing this graph and giving us the opportunity to publish it. Enjoy.