Production of solar hydrogen at desert site of Algeria

Abstract

Hydrogen is a sustainable fuel option and one of the potential solutions for the current energy and environmental problems. Renewable energy–hydrogen systems for remote applications constitute an early niche for sustainable hydrogen energy. Optimal matching between the photovoltaic (PV) system and the electrolyzer is essential for maximum electrical energy transfer and hydrogen production.This paper concerns the study of an autonomous hydrogen production system basically consisting in a solar panel array supplying an alkaline electrolyzer. The system used photovoltaic (PV) modules, an alkaline electrolyzer, and an optimized direct connection between the PV and electrolyzer systems.The data supplied by the experimental system clearly showed the importance of considering the efficiency of photovoltaic module to hydrogen generator efficiency when designing an optimum solar hydrogen system.