Integration of Photovoltaic Systems With Hydrogen Production: A Review of Current Technologies and Future Perspective
The integration of photovoltaic (PV) systems with hydrogen production offers a sustainable method to utilize solar energy for the manufacturing of clean fuel. This paper examines recent breakthroughs in the integration of photovoltaic technology with water electrolysis, highlighting the technical fe...
Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
IEEE
2025-01-01
|
| Series: | IEEE Access |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/11106478/ |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| Summary: | The integration of photovoltaic (PV) systems with hydrogen production offers a sustainable method to utilize solar energy for the manufacturing of clean fuel. This paper examines recent breakthroughs in the integration of photovoltaic technology with water electrolysis, highlighting the technical feasibility and economic viability of these systems. Principal hydrogen production technologies, such as alkaline, proton exchange membrane (PEM), and solid oxide electrolyzers, are assessed regarding their compatibility with photovoltaic power outputs. Direct coupling solutions, including photovoltaic-electrochemical (PV-EC) systems, are emphasized for their capacity to optimize energy conversion processes. Notwithstanding the potential, obstacles such as the variability of solar irradiation, the responsive behavior of electrolyzers to changing power inputs, and the necessity for effective energy management systems remain. Recent research has illustrated kilowatt-scale solar hydrogen generation systems, with demonstrated production rates of up to 0.5–1.2 Nm<sup>3</sup>/h under peak irradiance, and overall solar-to-hydrogen efficiencies reaching <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$10^{}18\%$ </tex-math></inline-formula>. Levelized cost of hydrogen (LCOH) values from PV-powered systems currently range from 4 to 8 USD/kg H<sub>2</sub>, depending on the technology and location. Advancements in power electronics, particularly maximum power point tracking (MPPT) techniques, are essential for enhancing the efficiency of photovoltaic-powered electrolysis. The novelty of this study lies in its comprehensive and current synthesis of PV-electrolysis integration techniques, with a specific emphasis on direct coupling configurations, system scalability, and the enhancement of energy management through advanced MPPT techniques. It is essential to tackle these issues with creative system designs and control methodologies to facilitate the wider deployment of PV-hydrogen systems, thereby considerably aiding global decarbonization efforts. |
|---|---|
| ISSN: | 2169-3536 |