Experimental Investigation of Current, Voltage, and Operating Temperature Effects on Solar-Powered Green Hydrogen Production

Abstract

The study was conducted within the global transition toward sustainable energy systems and the reduction of carbon emissions, where green hydrogen has emerged as a key clean energy carrier capable of storing energy. The main objective of this study is to investigate the performance of a small-scale green hydrogen production system powered by solar energy, with particular emphasis on the influence of operating parameters on hydrogen energy production. The integrated system was designed and implemented, utilizing photovoltaic (PV) panels to power a Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) electrolyzer. A block diagram was developed to illustrate the interconnected system components. The methodology encompassed operating the system and conducting empirical experiments under varying operational conditions by adjusting the voltage, electrical current, and temperature, alongside recording and analyzing the fundamental operational data. At an operational current of about 7.0 A and voltage of about 1.82 V, the system produced a steady-state hydrogen flow rate of around 48 mL/min. In comparison to steam methane reforming, the pilot system might reduce CO₂ emissions by 9–12 kg CO₂ per kg of green hydrogen produced, with an estimated LCOH of $8.5–11.2/kg H₂. Ohmic-dominated behavior throughout the measured range was confirmed by the voltage–current relationship's linear correlation (R² > 0.99). The results revealed a direct correlation between the operational variables and the green hydrogen production rate, where an increase in electrical current yielded higher production. Furthermore, precise control of voltage and temperature contributed to optimizing the process efficiency. This makes the proposed system an effective step toward green hydrogen production, demonstrating promising potential for further development and integration with renewable energy sources in future applications.