SunHydrogen, which is developing renewable hydrogen using sunlight and water, has started initial fabrication and testing of large-scale modules.
In July, it announced a technology collaboration with CTF Solar to integrate CTF’s solar cell modules into SunHydrogen’s technology for green hydrogen production.
Together they are designing scalable thin-film solar cell module architecture that will form the basis for multiple hydrogen panel demonstrations.
Concurrently, SunHydrogen – which wants to become a major technology supplier in the new hydrogen economy – is working to safeguard modules from chemical corrosion, ensuring their durability and long-term performance.
Also in July 2024, SunHydrogen announced its joint development agreement with Honda R&D Co.
At the Honda R&D facility in Japan, SunHydrogen’s initial 100cm² hydrogen modules – designed in collaboration with CTF Solar – have demonstrated 10.8% solar-to-hydrogen efficiency.
The Honda R&D team is also studying effects of various hydrodynamic conditions on SunHydrogen’s modules, further optimising their performance.
Dr. Syed Mubeen, SunHydrogen’s Chief Scientific Officer, said, “To our knowledge, this efficiency level has not been reached by any other company using cost-effective semiconductor materials immersed in water.”
Working with Honda R&D, the SunHydrogen team is also moving to finalise sites for large-scale pilot plant demonstrations.
SunHydrogen’s expert collaborators – Prof. Kazunari Domen, Dr. Hiroshi Nishiyama, Dr. Taro Yamada and Dr. Nirala Singh – are developing membrane-less housing units for the company’s hydrogen panels.
These units enable safe separation of hydrogen and oxygen without membranes, significantly reducing cost and eliminating the use of environmentally persistent fluorinated compounds (PFAS).
“Our recent accomplishments demonstrate our team’s commitment to securing our place in the market,” said SunHydrogen’s CEO Tim Young. “We are grateful for the support of our industrial partners as we make strides toward commercial-scale demonstration.”
Last month SunHydrogen joined the Texan Hydrogen Alliance, a non-profit body which unites regulators, policymakers and innovators to expedite the hydrogen economy.
