Honda begins operation of their next generation solar hydrogen station prototype at the Los Angeles Center of Honda R&D Americas.

 

Designed to fit into a garage, the station has reduced in size while producing enough hydrogen (0.5kg) via an 8-hour overnight fill for daily commuting for a fuel cell electric vehicle.

 

The previous solar hydrogen station system required both an electrolyzer and a separate compressor unit to create high pressure hydrogen. The compressor was the largest and most expensive component and reduced system efficiency.

 

By creating a new high differential pressure electrolyzer, Honda engineers were able to eliminate the compressor entirely. This innovation also reduces the size of other key components to make the new station the world's most compact system, while improving system efficiency by more than 25% compared to the previous system.

 

"Installed at the Los Angeles Center of Honda R&D Americas, the new Solar Hydrogen Station will employ the same 48-panel, 6.0kW solar array that powered the previous system. The array utilizes thin film solar cells composed of copper, indium, gallium and selenium produced by Honda Soltec, a subsidiary of Honda that was established for the mass production and sales of solar cells capable of efficient renewable electricity generation."

 

Honda began first began using a Solar Hydrogen Station at the Los Angeles Center of Honda R&D Americas in 2001.

 

Source: Honda