A new multigenerational solar-energy based system for electricity, heat and hydrogen production

In this study, a novel solar-based system, consisting of photovoltaic panels, photoelectrochemical water splitting reactor along with the fuel cell system, is proposed and analyzed thermodynamically through energy and exergy efficiencies. It mainly provides electricity and heat to a small community, with the possibility of running off-grid and stilling fresh water. Furthermore, produced hydrogen is a supply of solar energy, but the excess amount is distributed as a useful product. The contribution of the work can be seen in the integration of a promising option for clean hydrogen production, such as the photoelectrochemical technology, into the proposed system, which, in a context of decreasing the greenhouse gases emissions, guarantees zero carbon dioxide production during its operation. The system achieves overall energy and exergy efficiencies up to 19% and 12% for the considered conditions, respectively. With better performance during daylight hours, it results suitable for applications where the load is concentrated during the day. The synchronism achieved with the electric load, confirms the possibility of off-grid operation.