Experimental Study of Hydrogen Production Using Solar Energy in Ouargla (South East Algeria)

Abstract

This paper presents an experimental study of solar hydrogen production via electrolysis of water (conversion of solar energy into chemical energy), and thus, a direct link between the electrolyser (Hoffman voltammeter) and two photovoltaic panels should be present. Sodium hydroxide at a low concentration is used in the experiment. The experimental temperature is the temperature of the ambient environment. The experiment was conducted over 45 days spread over most of the months of the year. This represents the first experiment for the Ouargla region with such a long duration. We focused on measuring four important parameters: solar irradiation, the voltage produced by the two photovoltaic panels, the current used in the electrolysis and the flow of hydrogen; these parameters were evaluated throughout the day from 8 am until sunset. This study shows the changes in solar irradiation, voltage, and current, as well as hydrogen flow during the course of a day, month, and the year. It also demonstrates the extent of the negative effect of seasonal temperature on the efficiency of photovoltaic cells and by contrast, the extent of the positive effect of seasonal temperature on the hydrogen production process.