Efficient and affordable solar energy storage
Researchers at the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne and the Centre Suisse d’Electronique et de Microtechnique have made a prototype solar panel which converts solar energy directly into hydrogen. They have succeeded in designing a robust and effective system using three crystalline solar cells that are connected to an electrolysis system that has an efficiency of 14.2%. An important feature is that no rare metals are required and that the team used only proven parts to assemble the system.
Researchers at the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne and the Centre Suisse d’Electronique et de Microtechnique have made a prototype solar panel which converts solar energy directly into hydrogen. They have succeeded in designing a robust and effective system using three crystalline solar cells that are connected to an electrolysis system that has an efficiency of 14.2%. An important feature is that no rare metals are required and that the team used only proven parts to assemble the system.
The system should, when installed in Switzerland and with a 12-14 m2 array, generate sufficient hydrogen in a year to enable a fuel-cell powered car to be driven for 10,000 km.
By using multiple layers of crystalline silicon and amorphous silicon, higher voltages are possible so that three cells in series generate a nearly ideal voltage for electrolysis. Nickel is used as the catalyst, a metal that is readily available. With an expected life of more than 25 years the system can be considered quite durable.
More information:
http://actu.epfl.ch/news/an-effective-and-low-cost-solution-for-storing-sol
The system should, when installed in Switzerland and with a 12-14 m2 array, generate sufficient hydrogen in a year to enable a fuel-cell powered car to be driven for 10,000 km.
By using multiple layers of crystalline silicon and amorphous silicon, higher voltages are possible so that three cells in series generate a nearly ideal voltage for electrolysis. Nickel is used as the catalyst, a metal that is readily available. With an expected life of more than 25 years the system can be considered quite durable.
More information:
http://actu.epfl.ch/news/an-effective-and-low-cost-solution-for-storing-sol