Solar Power in Olney, Illinois
Posted by: 
YoSam.
N 38° 44.136 W 088° 05.654
16S E 404895 N 4288004
The First Experimental Solar Power Plant.
Waymark Code: WM3G5G
Location: Illinois, United States
Date Posted: 04/01/2008
Views: 14
Marker Erected by: The Native Sun Project, H.E. Jones, and The Illinois State Historical Society.
Marker Text:
SOLAR POWER IN OLNEY, ILLINOIS
In 1902, the first experimental solar power plant was built in Olney, Illinois by H.E. Willsie and John Boyle, Jr., two American engineers. Their solar power plant was based on an 1885 design developed by the French engineer Tellier. Between 1892 and 1908 Willsie and Boyle experimented with their low temperature solar plants that utilized "Hot Boxes" to heat water. Their "Hot Box" solar power plant was patented in 1903. The results were published on May 13th 1909 in the issue of Engineering News.
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