Page 19 - ISES SWC50

1. INTRODUCTION

In 1970 solar research pioneers met at the first International Solar Energy Society (ISES) Conference in
Melbourne Australia. SWC50 -The Century of Solar commemorates that event by celebrating 50 years of
progress and envisioning necessary steps for the next 50 years through:

• A virtual conference on 3 and 4 December 2020;
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• The launch of an online museum: ISES Solar Energy Museum - Past Present and Future; and
• This booklet: ISES SWC50 The Century of Solar-Stories and Vision
Why the “Century of Solar”?
Since that conference in 1970, solar energy has grown from being a mix of emerging technologies to a vibrant
industry. In 1970 solar cells were mainly being manufactured for use on satellites in space. However, a few
companies were evolving, and research was being undertaken in manufacturing solar cells/modules for the
terrestrial market. Over the next few years a number of manufacturing companies started around the world
and by 1977 the world production of Photovoltaic (PV) Modules was 750kW. In 2019 it is estimated at 627
GW. In solar thermal the solar heater panel installed capacity was 513 GWth in 2019. This represents a major
transformation in the global energy sector. Now ISES looks forward to the next 50 years when solar energy
will be a major cornerstone of the global energy system. Hence the “Century of Solar” is the period in history
when solar returns to be the dominant energy provider after the fossil fuel age. It is the time when the world
transforms into the new solar age.

As the SWC50 chair recalls from a solar conference early in his career, a presenter noted that future generations
will define this timeline for the energy ages:

1800’s 2200’s
__Solar Age_____I_________Fossil Fuel Age_________I______Solar Age_____

Prior to the industrial revolution and introduction of fossil fuels, mankind used the sun to dry crops and clothes;
travelled the world in wind powered sailing ships; used waterpower to mill and perform other operations; and
designed their buildings using passive solar principles. Keeping this in mind, the SWC50 chair reminds people
that “Solar energy is not the future. Rather it was the way of the past. Mankind became lazy with fossil fuels
but now must return to the Solar Age.”

Mankind has benefited greatly from all the advancements provided in the fossil fuel age; however, it has come
at a cost -- climate change. To address this, the world must transform its energy system quickly back to solar
(renewable) energy. ISES believes this is the century when this will and must happen. It is the work started by
the founders of ISES back in 1950’s that helps make this change possible. The SWC50 tells the stories and
visions of how the Solar Age is returning.

The Start of the International Solar Energy Society (ISES)
In the early 1950’s a few visionaries believed that it was time to elevate solar energy to become the foundational
source of all energy consumed by humankind. One leader of this group of visionaries was Farrington Daniels,
who first suggested the need for an organization to promote the development and application of solar energy
and create a solar industry. In 1954 three other pioneers -- Henry Sargent, Walter Bimson and Frank Snell
-- created the Association for Applied Solar Energy (ASAFE) in Arizona. This organization was formed to
show the feasibility of solar energy conversion and to provide a stimulus for achieving universal acceptance
for modern solar energy conversion, replacing conventional sources of energy.

The first public events of AFASE were a Symposium held in Phoenix and a Conference in Tucson in late 1955.
In 1963 AFASE changed its name to the Solar Energy Society. Following its first International meeting, held
in Melbourne in March 1970, the name was changed to the International Solar Energy Society (ISES), with
the Australian and New Zealand Solar Energy Society (ANZSES) and American Solar Energy Society (ASES)
becoming its first two Sections. A number of other Sections from around the world quickly followed suit, and
ISES soon established a global reach.

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