Solar water splitting by photovoltaic-electrolysis with a solar-to-hydrogen efficiency over 30%

Jieyang Jia; Linsey Christine Seitz; Jesse D. Benck; Yijie Huo; Yusi Chen; Jia Wei Desmond Ng; Taner Bilir; James S. Harris; Thomas F. Jaramillo

doi:10.1038/ncomms13237

Solar water splitting by photovoltaic-electrolysis with a solar-to-hydrogen efficiency over 30%

Jieyang Jia, Linsey Christine Seitz, Jesse D. Benck, Yijie Huo, Yusi Chen, Jia Wei Desmond Ng, Taner Bilir, James S. Harris^*, Thomas F. Jaramillo

^*Corresponding author for this work

Chemical and Biological Engineering

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

694 Scopus citations

Abstract

Hydrogen production via electrochemical water splitting is a promising approach for storing solar energy. For this technology to be economically competitive, it is critical to develop water splitting systems with high solar-to-hydrogen (STH) efficiencies. Here we report a photovoltaic-electrolysis system with the highest STH efficiency for any water splitting technology to date, to the best of our knowledge. Our system consists of two polymer electrolyte membrane electrolysers in series with one InGaP/GaAs/GaInNAsSb triple-junction solar cell, which produces a large-enough voltage to drive both electrolysers with no additional energy input. The solar concentration is adjusted such that the maximum power point of the photovoltaic is well matched to the operating capacity of the electrolysers to optimize the system efficiency. The system achieves a 48-h average STH efficiency of 30%. These results demonstrate the potential of photovoltaic-electrolysis systems for cost-effective solar energy storage.

Original language	English (US)
Article number	13237
Journal	Nature communications
Volume	7
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1038/ncomms13237
State	Published - Oct 31 2016

Funding

This study presents results from an NSF project (award number CBET-1433442) competitively selected under the solicitation 'NSF 14-15: NSF/Department of Energy Partnership on Advanced Frontiers in Renewable Hydrogen Fuel Production via Solar Water Splitting Technologies', which was co-sponsored by the National Science Foundation, Division of Chemical, Bioengineering, Environmental and Transport Systems (CBET), and the US Department of Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Fuel Cell Technologies Office. J.D.B. and J.J. acknowledge support from Stanford Graduate Fellowships. L.C.S. acknowledges support from the DARE Doctoral Fellowship provided by the Vice Provost for Graduate Education at Stanford University. J.D.B. and L.C.S. acknowledge support from the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program. We thank Solar Junction Corporation for providing the solar cell samples. We also thank Thomas Hellstern, Pongkarn Chakthranont, Vijay Parameshwaran and Ariel Jackson for helpful discussions.

ASJC Scopus subject areas

General Chemistry
General Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology
General Physics and Astronomy

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

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10.1038/ncomms13237

Cite this

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title = "Solar water splitting by photovoltaic-electrolysis with a solar-to-hydrogen efficiency over 30%",

abstract = "Hydrogen production via electrochemical water splitting is a promising approach for storing solar energy. For this technology to be economically competitive, it is critical to develop water splitting systems with high solar-to-hydrogen (STH) efficiencies. Here we report a photovoltaic-electrolysis system with the highest STH efficiency for any water splitting technology to date, to the best of our knowledge. Our system consists of two polymer electrolyte membrane electrolysers in series with one InGaP/GaAs/GaInNAsSb triple-junction solar cell, which produces a large-enough voltage to drive both electrolysers with no additional energy input. The solar concentration is adjusted such that the maximum power point of the photovoltaic is well matched to the operating capacity of the electrolysers to optimize the system efficiency. The system achieves a 48-h average STH efficiency of 30%. These results demonstrate the potential of photovoltaic-electrolysis systems for cost-effective solar energy storage.",

author = "Jieyang Jia and Seitz, {Linsey Christine} and Benck, {Jesse D.} and Yijie Huo and Yusi Chen and Ng, {Jia Wei Desmond} and Taner Bilir and Harris, {James S.} and Jaramillo, {Thomas F.}",

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doi = "10.1038/ncomms13237",

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AU - Jia, Jieyang

AU - Seitz, Linsey Christine

AU - Benck, Jesse D.

AU - Huo, Yijie

AU - Chen, Yusi

AU - Ng, Jia Wei Desmond

AU - Bilir, Taner

AU - Harris, James S.

AU - Jaramillo, Thomas F.

PY - 2016/10/31

Y1 - 2016/10/31

N2 - Hydrogen production via electrochemical water splitting is a promising approach for storing solar energy. For this technology to be economically competitive, it is critical to develop water splitting systems with high solar-to-hydrogen (STH) efficiencies. Here we report a photovoltaic-electrolysis system with the highest STH efficiency for any water splitting technology to date, to the best of our knowledge. Our system consists of two polymer electrolyte membrane electrolysers in series with one InGaP/GaAs/GaInNAsSb triple-junction solar cell, which produces a large-enough voltage to drive both electrolysers with no additional energy input. The solar concentration is adjusted such that the maximum power point of the photovoltaic is well matched to the operating capacity of the electrolysers to optimize the system efficiency. The system achieves a 48-h average STH efficiency of 30%. These results demonstrate the potential of photovoltaic-electrolysis systems for cost-effective solar energy storage.

AB - Hydrogen production via electrochemical water splitting is a promising approach for storing solar energy. For this technology to be economically competitive, it is critical to develop water splitting systems with high solar-to-hydrogen (STH) efficiencies. Here we report a photovoltaic-electrolysis system with the highest STH efficiency for any water splitting technology to date, to the best of our knowledge. Our system consists of two polymer electrolyte membrane electrolysers in series with one InGaP/GaAs/GaInNAsSb triple-junction solar cell, which produces a large-enough voltage to drive both electrolysers with no additional energy input. The solar concentration is adjusted such that the maximum power point of the photovoltaic is well matched to the operating capacity of the electrolysers to optimize the system efficiency. The system achieves a 48-h average STH efficiency of 30%. These results demonstrate the potential of photovoltaic-electrolysis systems for cost-effective solar energy storage.

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Solar water splitting by photovoltaic-electrolysis with a solar-to-hydrogen efficiency over 30%

Abstract

Funding

ASJC Scopus subject areas

UN SDGs

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