POLYMER-ELECTROLYTE WATER ELECTROLYSIS

The electricity for the electrolyzer is supplied by a variable electri city supply unit that simulates actual outputs of both series and para llel combinations of solar cells exposed to various solar intensities. An amorphous-silicon solar cell is used as a sensor for the unit The operation was continued for more than 600 days without trouble. The ca se of direct connection of the solar cell and polymer electrolyte (PE) water electrolyzer is simulated: the test results show that more than 95% of the peak electricity power of the solar battery can be utilize d for the electrolyzer over various solar radiation conditions. (C) 19 98 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.