Abstract

This work attempts to fill in the gaps in the literature by providing a narrative of the development of solar sciences and technologies in Chile during the XX and XXI centuries. It covers scientific activities related to measuring solar irradiance and describes technological trajectories and capacity building. The study shows how Chilean solar energy history has evolved in connection to the world, and as part of an international network of scientists and engineers. It provides a perspective of technological trajectories and capability accumulation, which shows discontinuities and gaps as well as some interesting experiences of success and failure with technological experimentation and diffusion. This work proposes there is a connection between an early and visionary period during the XX Century and the recent and disruptive developments of solar development in Chile.