JOHN PERLIN is the author, most recently, of From Space to Earth: The Story of Solar Electricity . Articles by this Contributor Summer 2003The Old Solar Water Heater A century ago it was a thriving technology Read >> Summer 2002Solar Power: The Slow Revolution ELECTRICITY FROM SUNLIGHT WAS DISCOVERED IN 1883 BUT ONLY RECENTLY BECAME CRUCIAL MAINLY FOR SATELLITES. ITS GREATEST POTENTIAL MAY STILL LIE IN THE FUTURE. Read >>