Russell Ohl

American scientist

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July 1, 2026

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Russell Ohl was an American scientist who developed the first silicon solar cell in 1941. This breakthrough was a significant advancement in solar technology, as previous solar cells, such as those made of selenium or copper oxide, had efficiencies of less than 1 percent. Ohl's work with silicon paved the way for more efficient solar cells, and by 1954, researchers demonstrated a silicon solar cell with a 6 percent energy-conversion efficiency. Solar cells convert light energy directly into electrical energy through the photovoltaic effect, and are primarily made from silicon.1

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solar cell
Development of solar cells
…the silicon solar cell by Russell Ohl in 1941. Thirteen years later, aided by the rapid commercialization of silicon technology needed to fabricate the transistor, three other American researchers—Gerald Pearson, Daryl Chapin, and Calvin Fuller—demonstrated a silicon solar cell capable of a 6 percent energy-conversion efficiency when used in direct…
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…the silicon solar cell by Russell Ohl in 1941. Thirteen years later, aided by the rapid commercialization of silicon technology needed to fabricate the transistor, three other American researchers—Gerald Pearson, Daryl Chapin, and Calvin Fuller—demonstrated a silicon solar cell capable of a 6 percent energy-conversion efficiency when used in direct…
Read More