Solar power was first discovered by French physicist Edmond Becquerel in 1839 at the young age of 19. At the time, Becquerel was experimenting in his father's lab when he observed the photovoltaic effect, a process that generates electricity when exposed to sunlight. . Augustin Mouchot (/ muːˈʃoʊ /; French: [muʃo]; 7 April 1825 – 4 October 1912) was a 19th-century French inventor of the earliest solar-powered engine, converting solar energy into mechanical steam power. Mouchot was born in Semur-en-Auxois, France on 7 April 1825. [1] He first taught at the. . Explore France's solar energy evolution, from early developments to becoming a European leader, and its promising renewable energy future. Its popularity is increasing, and signs indicate this trend will. . Long before the first Earth Day was celebrated on April 22, 1970, generating awareness about the environment and support for environmental protection, scientists were making the first discoveries in solar energy. See the Solar Cooking Archive for more information on
