SunHydrogen begins green hydrogen panel demonstrations

SunHydrogen has begun the initial fabrication and testing of large-scale hydrogen panel demonstrations as part of its partnership with CTF Solar.

In July (2024), the firm agreed to integrate CTF’s solar cell modules into SunHydrogen technology for green hydrogen production. Together, they designed a scalable thin-film solar cell module architecture that will form the basis for multiple 1m² demonstrations, which are now being constructed.

Read more:SunHydrogen seals agreements utilising its green hydrogen panels

SunHydrogen is also working on safeguarding the modules from chemical corrosion, ensuring their durability and long-term performance.

After the Iowa-based company signed an agreement with Honda R&D earlier this year, SunHydrogen demonstrated its initial hydrogen modules with 10.8% solar-to-hydrogen efficiency.

“To our knowledge, this efficiency level has not been reached by any other company using cost-effective semiconductor materials immersed in water,” claimed Dr. Syed Mubeen, SunHydrogen’s Chief Scientific Officer.

The Honda R&D team is also studying the effects of various hydrodynamic conditions on the modules to further optimise their performance. Together with Honda, the SunHydrogen team is working to finalise sites for large-scale pilot plant demonstrations.

Furthermore, Professor Kazunari Domen, Dr. Hiroshi Nishiyama, Dr. Taro Yamada and Dr. Nirala Singh are developing membrane-less housing units for the company’s hydrogen panels.

This is expected to “enable safe separation of hydrogen and oxygen without membranes,” significantly reducing cost and eliminating the use of PFAS.

Tim Young, SunHydrogen CEO, said, “Our recent accomplishments demonstrate our team’s commitment to securing our place in the market. We are grateful for the support of our industrial partners as we make strides toward commercial-scale demonstration.”