In Germany, PV Magazine reported that three Fraunhofer institutes in Germany have developed an alternative to hydrogen production using electrolyzers in the Neo-PEC joint research project. “PEC” stands for “photoelectrochemical cell,” which is a cell that enables direct solar water splitting, according to the report. The solution from the research project, presented in June, consists of a module with an area of around half a square meter that can be connected to form larger units and enable highly flexible hydrogen production using solar energy, according to the report. The tandem PEC module consists of two panes of float glass coated with semiconducting materials. One side absorbs short-wave light, while long-wave light penetrates the upper glass layer and is absorbed on the reverse side. The module releases hydrogen on the reverse side and oxygen on the upper side, with the two elements separated, the report added. The result is a reactor that generates hydrogen separately from oxygen, which can be collected directly, the report added.
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