Three concentrator photovoltaic modules and four electrolyzer–DC/DC converter sets were included in the experimental setup. Source: University of Miyazaki

A research team in Japan has designed a system for water electrolysis using electricity obtained from high-efficiency concentrator photovoltaic cells. The system successfully converted 18.8 percent of the solar energy to hydrogen energy.

The field trial coupled high-efficiency concentrator photovoltaic cells to water electrolysis equipment using polymer electrolyte membranes and to DC/DC converters specially designed for this system. The total output of photovoltaic modules in the solar-to-hydrogen system was 472 W under concentrator standard test conditions.

Deploying the new digitally-controlled converters between the solar cells and the electrolysis equipment enabled researchers to provide a stable power supply to the hydrogen generation system without varying solar cell output loss due to weather conditions and to deliver the world's highest efficiency to date.

Scientists from University of Miyazaki, University of Tokyo, Fujitsu Laboratories Ltd. and Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd. contributed to this research, which is published in Applied Physics Express.