There were solar panels in 1800s already https://www.smithsonianmag.com/sponsored/brief-history-solar-panels-180972006/ https://www.smithsonianmag.com/sponsored

There were solar panels in 1800s already https://www.smithsonianmag.com/sponsored/brief-history-solar-panels-180972006/ https://www.smithsonianmag.com/sponsored/brief-history-solar.... Apparently the inventor had tried to make a solar thermal generator but noticed a direct voltage being produced.