Solar-to-hydrogen technology : Introduction

 Solar-to-hydrogen technology is a process that uses solar energy to produce hydrogen, a clean and renewable fuel. This technology is considered a promising way to utilize solar energy and tackle climate change stemming from the combustion of fossil fuels [3].

There are several routes for solar-to-hydrogen production, including photocatalytic, photoelectrochemical, photovoltaic-electrochemical, solar thermochemical, photothermal catalytic, and photobiological technologies [3]. One of the largest solar-to-hydrogen plants to date produces about half a kilogram of hydrogen in 8 hours, which amounts to a little over 2 kilowatts of equivalent output power [2].

Efforts to make hydrogen more easily or efficiently from solar energy are considered a "Holy Grail quest" by solar energy experts [1]. However, new solar-powered inventions such as a hydrogen-producing device that could be powered by solar energy have been developed [4].

The solar-to-hydrogen technology has potential commercial applications, with solar-derived hydrogen becoming more cost-competitive by 2030 [6]. In fact, a solar-to-hydrogen project is being proposed in the United States that would produce up to 9,300 tons of hydrogen fuel per year to fuel heavy-duty trucks, utilizing a proprietary hydrogen electrolyzer technology called HEVO [5].

One important metric for solar-to-hydrogen efficiency is the energy conversion efficiency of practical devices. The theoretical maximum conversion efficiency is higher, but practical devices experience energy losses that reduce their efficiency [7]. Another consideration for solar-to-hydrogen technology is its emissions intensity, which may impact its eligibility for subsidies in certain regions [8].

SunHydrogen has also developed a technology to produce renewable hydrogen using sunlight and any source of water [9]. The company uses low-cost photoelectrochemical technology to separate hydrogen from water using sunlight, making the process truly green from start to finish.

Overall, solar-to-hydrogen technology has the potential to revolutionize the energy industry by producing a clean and renewable fuel from sunlight. Ongoing research and development continue to improve the efficiency and practicality of this technology, making it a promising solution for a more sustainable future.