A feasibility study of photovoltaic-fuel cell hybrid energy system

The concept and feasibility study results of applying fuel cells to provide operational support to photovoltaic (PV) arrays are presented. Through simulation using actual data, it is shown that it is feasible to use fuel cells in coordination with PV to meet variable loads to either utility or stand-alone applications. The dynamic response required of the fuel cell to support the hybrid operation is found to be well within the capabilities of the prototype designs that have been tested in the United States and Japan. The hybrid operation overcomes the intermittency problem inherent with PV and makes possible novel applications for the fuel cell technology