An effective and low-cost solution for storing solar energy

Originally shared by Rob Jongschaap

An effective and low-cost solution for storing solar energy

'The approach taken by EPFL and CSEM researchers is to combine components that have already proven effective in industry in order to develop a robust and effective system. Their prototype is made up of three interconnected, new-generation, crystalline silicon solar cells attached to an electrolysis system that does not rely on rare metals. The device is able to convert solar energy into hydrogen at a rate of 14.2%, and has already been run for more than 100 hours straight under test conditions. In terms of performance, this is a world record for silicon solar cells and for hydrogen production without using rare metals. It also offers a high level of stability.'

https://techxplore.com/news/2016-08-effective-low-cost-solution-solar-energy.html

Solar-to-Hydrogen Production at 14.2% Efficiency with Silicon Photovoltaics and Earth-Abundant Electrocatalysts

'... aSwiss Center for Electronics and Microtechnology (CSEM), Neuchâtel, Switzerland
 bSchool of Engineering, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
 cMichelin Recherche et Technique SA, Conception et Développement Michelin, Givisiez, Switzerland

Abstract

Affordable, stable and earth-abundant photo-electrochemical materials are indispensable for the large-scale implementation of sunlight-driven hydrogen production. Here we present an intrinsically stable and scalable solar water splitting device that is fully based on earth-abundant materials, with a solar-to-hydrogen conversion efficiency of 14.2%. This unprecedented efficiency is achieved by integrating a module of three interconnected silicon heterojunction solar cells that operates at an appropriate voltage to directly power microstructured Ni electrocatalysts. Nearly identical performance levels were also achieved using a customized state-of-the-art proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolyzer. As silicon heterojunction solar cells and PEM electrolysis systems are commercially viable, easily scalable and have long lifetimes, the devices demonstrated in this report can open a fast avenue toward the industrialization and deployment of cost effective solar-fuel production systems.  
...'

http://jes.ecsdl.org/content/163/10/F1177
https://techxplore.com/news/2016-08-effective-low-cost-solution-solar-energy.html

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