CTF Solar and SunHydrogen Partner to Enhance Green Hydrogen Production
Integrating advanced solar cell modules, developing innovative housing units, and achieving new efficiency milestones.
CTF Solar has entered into a strategic partnership with SunHydrogen to integrate its solar cell modules into SunHydrogen’s technology, to enhance the photovoltaic components for efficient green hydrogen production. This collaboration marks a significant step towards scalable and cost-effective hydrogen energy solutions, with plans for pilot demonstrations and potential commercial-scale applications.
As part of the agreement, CTF Solar and SunHydrogen will commence the production of hydrogen modules, starting with a pilot demonstration involving 50 1m² green hydrogen panels
The collaboration aims to showcase the efficiency of their integrated technology in converting solar energy into hydrogen. Additionally, the companies intend to announce an industrial partner who will assist in developing housing units and infrastructure necessary for scaling up this technology.
In a parallel development, SunHydrogen has also partnered with Honda to leverage its manufacturing and design capabilities
The two companies are working together to develop installation-ready hydrogen panels for efficient production. Honda’s R&D team is actively engaged in studying the effects of different hydrodynamic conditions on the panels to optimise their performance.
Furthermore, they are collaborating to finalise suitable sites for large-scale pilot plant demonstrations, indicating strong potential for future commercial deployments.
Since July 2024, SunHydrogen has been working closely with CTF Solar to integrate solar cell modules into its proprietary technology for green hydrogen production.
The partnership has led to the development of a scalable thin-film solar cell module architecture, which serves as the foundation for the upcoming 1m² demonstrations currently under construction. This integration represents a significant technological achievement, allowing SunHydrogen to improve the photovoltaic efficiency of its hydrogen panels.
Ensuring the long-term durability of the hydrogen panels is a key focus for SunHydrogen. The company is actively working on safeguarding the modules from chemical corrosion, which is critical for maintaining their performance and operational lifespan.
This initiative underscores the company’s commitment to creating reliable and sustainable green hydrogen solutions
Earlier this year, SunHydrogen signed an agreement with Honda R&D and subsequently demonstrated its hydrogen modules, achieving a solar-to-hydrogen efficiency of 10.8%.
According to Dr Syed Mubeen, SunHydrogen’s Chief Scientific Officer, this efficiency level has not been matched by any other company using cost-effective semiconductor materials immersed in water. This milestone highlights the advanced technological capabilities of SunHydrogen and the potential for further efficiency improvements.
In addition to the core technology, SunHydrogen is also working with a team of experts, including Professor Kazunari Domen, Dr Hiroshi Nishiyama, Dr Taro Yamada, and Dr Nirala Singh, to develop membrane-less housing units for its hydrogen panels.
These innovative units are designed to enable the safe separation of hydrogen and oxygen without the use of traditional membranes, significantly reducing costs and eliminating the need for PFAS (per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances). This approach not only enhances safety but also contributes to the sustainability of the technology.
Tim Young, CEO of SunHydrogen, expressed confidence in the company’s progress, stating, “Our recent accomplishments demonstrate our team’s commitment to securing our place in the market. We are grateful for the support of our industrial partners as we make strides toward commercial-scale demonstration.”
The ongoing collaborations with CTF Solar, Honda, and other industry experts underscore SunHydrogen’s ambition to bring its technology to a wider market, paving the way for scalable and sustainable green hydrogen production.
This partnership coupled with the support from Honda and other industrial collaborators is a significant advancement in green hydrogen technology.
By integrating advanced solar cell modules, developing innovative housing units, and achieving new efficiency milestones, SunHydrogen is well-positioned to lead the transition towards clean and renewable hydrogen energy. The forthcoming pilot demonstrations will be crucial in demonstrating the viability of this technology on a commercial scale, setting the stage for a future where hydrogen can play a key role in global energy sustainability.
