Solar Energy Centuries ago the Greek mathematician Archimedes used sunlight to set fire to invading ships. In the following paper you will read more about the wonders of solar energy its many uses and how it works. You may also find facts like why it was invented, how it started, how it is used today, and how it is hoped to be used in the future. Solar energy has been used for a long time for example in 1772 a French scientist named Antoine Lavoiser constructed a solar furnace hot enough to melt most metals using a huge lens that focused sunlight into a small area. Using this he was able to create heat that at that time only sunlight could provide. Also in Chile a huge water desalting system w