Energy production using solar-powered electrolyzer and hydrogen fuel cell / Teoh Wei Hern... [et al.]

This study presented the implementation of a small-scale (50 W) solar energy
harvesting system coupled with an electrolyzer and proton exchange
membrane (PEM) fuel cell. The energy from the solar panel would be utilized
by the electrolyzer to produce hydrogen gas. The hydrogen gas would be
used, in turn, by the PEM fuel cell to generate electricity which supports both
DC and AC load. Excess energy from the solar panel is also used to charge
the lead-acid backup battery. Analysis of the system showed that 400 mL of
hydrogen gas could be produced within every 17 minutes in optimal
conditions; between 11 am until 4 pm with bright sunlight. For every 400 mL
of hydrogen gas, the PEM fuel cell could sustain continuous operation of a
5V 500 mA DC load for 95 seconds. Theoretically, more than 7000 mL of
hydrogen gas could be produced within 5 hours in strong sunlight, which
could power up a 50 mA and 500 mA load for 4.7 hours and 28 minutes
respectively, during evening or night operations. The proposed system could
complement the traditional battery-based storage system while remaining as
a clean source of energy production.