If the First Solar Entrepreneur Hadn't Been Kidnapped, Would Fossil Fuels Have Dominated the 20th Century

[Brenda]

the Way They Did?

One argument put forward in defense of fossil fuels is that they were a historical necessity, because there was no other viable substitute for much of the 20th century. We owe fossil fuels a debt of gratitude, the argument goes, because they supercharged our development. But what if I told you there was a viable alternative, and that it may have been sabotaged by fossil fuel interests from its very inception?

While researching the economics of clean energy innovation, I came across a little-known story: that of Canadian inventor George Cove, one of the world’s first renewable energy entrepreneurs. Cove invented household solar panels that looked uncannily similar to the ones being installed in homes today – they even had a rudimentary battery to keep power running when the sun wasn’t shining. Except this wasn’t in the 1970s. Or even the 1950s. This was in 1905.

What is well-known though, is that fledgling fossil fuel companies commonly deployed unscrupulous practices towards their competitors. And solar was a threat as it is an inherently democratic technology – everyone has access to the sun – which can empower citizens and communities, unlike fossil fuels which necessitate empire-building.

Standard Oil, led by the world’s first billionaire John D. Rockefeller, squashed competition so thoroughly that it compelled the government to introduce antitrust laws to combat monopolies.

.webp

https://www.desmog.com/2023/10/18/if-the-first-solar-entrepreneur-hadnt-been-kidnapped-would-fossil-fuels-have-dominated-the-20th-century-the-way-they-did/

[redqueen]

1. Nationalize oil

And reclaim oil profits

Monsters, all of them

[Caribbeans]

4. Iran 1953

Kind of made that a bad idea

Then Hank and Dick sealed the deal for the future.

Is it hard to see that the USA's very economy was tied to OIL since the early 1970's???

Monsters, all of them

Indeed.

[redqueen]

5. Yep, they've been fucking up entire countries for decades

but now they're ruining the planet and they knew they were doing it while they lied about it

So yeah, nationalize it and seize profits. Make all the oil barons paupers.

I can dream

[Progressive dog]

2. George Cove's device converted heat to electricity

It would have been less efficient than the thermal panels used for heating. His device used thermocouples which are used in lots of temperature measuring devices. Many propane/natural gas fireplaces use a stack of thermocouples to turn on the gas but only if the pilot is burning. So NO, theremocouples are not solar cells and use an entirely different and much less efficient technology.

[scipan]

3. There's some questions about that

https://solar.lowtechmagazine.com/2021/10/how-to-build-a-low-tech-solar-panel

Creating the largest possible temperature difference is key to thermoelectric power production, so Cove’s design makes sense. The problem is that when he measured the power output of his generator, it did not respond to heat like a thermo-electric generator was supposed to do. Initially, Cove observes that his invention uses both heat and light to produce electricity when exposed to solar energy:

“The principal part of my invention is the peculiar composition of the metallic plugs which are acted upon by the sun in such a way that the current is generated not only by heat rays but the violet rays as well”.

However, after further experiments with both the wood stove and solar energy, Cove states:

“When the machine is exposed to various sources of artificial heat it gives no electricity whatsoever. Other than the heat rays of the sun (short-wave infrared), perhaps the violet or ultraviolet rays are active in setting up the electrical current”.

[Progressive dog]

6. It makes no sense

There actually is a scientific reason why thermocouples don't make electricity when both junctions are at the same temperature. There have to be at least 2 thermocouple junctions to make a complete circuit.

There is no perhaps about why UV or visible radiation doesn't make electricity in thermocouples.
Any radiation reflected from a thermocouple can't be used to make electricity. Apparently Cove never heard of flat black paint.
Measuring Junctions

A measuring junction is the “hot” end of the thermocouple. This junction is where the two wires meet, and where temperature is measured. There are three kinds of measuring junctions:

Exposed junction – Nothing protects the wire ends, meaning that they can rust or get damaged over time.
Grounded junction – A metal sheath covers the wires (usually stainless steel). This design is much more stable and long-lasting.
Ungrounded junction – In this case, the sheath is not connected electrically to the wires. An ungrounded junction is less susceptible to electromagnetic interference.

Reference Junctions

The reference junction is the other side of the thermocouple, or the “cold” connection. To get an accurate thermocouple readout, you need to know the wires’ temperature at rest—hence the term “reference.” The reference junction is often built into the display instrument, so the user won’t even see it.
https://calfinewire.com/materials/thermocouple-wire/