An powerful and low-price solution for storing solar strength

The approach taken via EPFL and CSEM researchers is to combine components which have already validated effective in enterprise on the way to broaden a robust and effective gadget. Their prototype is made up of three interconnected, new-generation, crystalline silicon sun cells connected to an electrolysis system that doesn't depend upon rare metals. The device is capable of convert sun strength into hydrogen at a charge of 14.2%, and has already been run for greater than a hundred hours directly beneath check situations. In terms of performance, that is a global document for silicon solar cells and for hydrogen manufacturing without the usage of uncommon metals. It additionally gives a high stage of stability.

enough to energy a gas cell vehicle over 10,000 km every 12 months

The method, which surpasses preceding efforts in phrases of balance, overall performance, lifespan and price efficiency, is published within the journal of The Electrochemical Society. "A 12-14 m2 gadget set up in Switzerland might permit the generation and garage of enough hydrogen to electricity a gasoline mobile automobile over 10,000 km each year," says Christophe Ballif, who co-authored the paper.

excessive voltage cells have an side

the important thing here is making the most of existing components, and using a 'hybrid' type of crystalline-silicon solar cellular based totally on heterojunction generation. The researchers' sandwich structure -- the use of layers of crystalline silicon and amorphous silicon -- allows for higher voltages. And this means that simply 3 of those cells, interconnected, can already generate an almost perfect voltage for electrolysis to occur. The electrochemical part of the method calls for a catalyst made from nickel, that's extensively to be had.

"With conventional crystalline silicon cells, we would must link up four cells to get the equal voltage," says co-author Miguel Modestino at EPFL."So it is the energy of this approach."

A stable and economically feasible technique

the new system is precise when it comes to value, overall performance and lifespan. "We wanted to expand a high overall performance machine that can work beneath contemporary situations," says Jan-Willem Schüttauf, a researcher at CSEM and co-creator of the paper. "The heterojunction cells that we use belong to the circle of relatives of crystalline silicon cells, which on my own account for about 90% of the solar panel marketplace. it's far a well-known and strong era whose lifespan exceeds 25 years. And it additionally occurs to cover the south aspect of the CSEM building in Neuchâtel."

The researchers used standard heterojunction cells to show the concept; by way of the usage of the quality cells of that type, they might expect to achieve a performance above sixteen%.