Solar hydrogen production demonstration

The status of a parabolic trough concentrating photovoltaic system (PTCPS) is described. The electrical output of the PTCPS is direct-coupled to an electrolyzer to produce hydrogen. The rationale behind the project is to overcome the well-documented problems with PTCPS by configuring the receiver for a nonconventional load. The single-crystal silicon PV cells are wired in parallel-series combination to produce 200 A at 2 to 2.5 V. This will power an individual electrolyzer cell. The electrolyzers are distributed among the collector field rather than combined in a conventional stack. Preliminary I-V curves have been taken and the original expectations for the system appear to be achievable