Efficient solar hydrogen production via a hybrid photochemical-photovoltaic-solid oxide electrolysis system
Heng Pan, Bin Sun, Tete Liu, Yuhao Zhao, Youjun Lu
Abstract
Photovoltaic-solid oxide electrolysis cell (PV-SOEC) systems represent a promising approach for solar hydrogen production, yet their widespread adoption is hindered by two fundamental limitations: inefficient spectral utilization and significant energy losses from photovoltaic waste heat. To overcome these limitations, this study proposes a novel hybrid photochemical hydrogen production-photovoltaic-solid oxide electrolysis cell (PHP-PV-SOEC) system for efficient solar-driven hydrogen production. By cascading solar spectrum utilization-employing ultraviolet (0–400 nm) for photochemical reactions, visible-near infrared (400–1000 nm) for photovoltaic power generation, and infrared (>1000 nm) for thermal energy-the system achieves optimized full-spectrum conversion with minimal energy loss. Thermodynamic analysis demonstrates superior performance, with energy and exergy efficiencies reaching 42 % and 36 %, respectively, while operating at a lower favorable temperature compared to conventional PV-SOEC systems. The integrated design effectively addresses spectral mismatch and thermal dissipation challenges, offering a scalable pathway for sustainable hydrogen production. This work provides critical insights into multi-pathway solar energy conversion and highlights the potential of hybrid systems in advancing renewable fuel.