Solar and Hydrogen

It has been widely accepted that the only sustainable and environmentally friendly energy is the solar energy and hydrogen energy, which can meet the increasing energy demand in the future. Solar Energy may be used either for solar thermal or for solar electricity conversion. Solar thermal collectors represent a wide-spread type of system for the conversion of solar energy. Radiation, convection and conduction are strongly coupled energy transport mechanisms in solar collector systems. The economic viability of lower temperature applications of solar energy may be improved by increasing the quantity of usable energy delivered per unit area of collector. This can be achieved by the use of selective black coatings which have a high degree of solar absorption, maintaining high energy input to the solar system while simultaneously suppressing the emission of thermal infrared radiation. Photovoltaic solar cells and modules are produced for: (1) large scale power generation, most commonly when modules are incorporated as part of a building (building integrated photovoltaic s) but also in centralised power stations, (2) supplying power to villages and towns in developing countries that are not connected to the supply grid, e.g. for lighting and water pumping systems, (3) supplying power in remote locations, e.g. for communications or weather monitoring equipment, (4) supplying power for satellites and space vehicles, (5) supplying power for consumer products, e.g. calculators, clocks, toys and night lights. In hydrogen energy systems, Proton exchange membrane (PEMFC) fuel cells are promising candidates for applications ranging from portable power sources (battery replacement applications) to power sources for future electric vehicles because of their safety, elimination of fuel processor system, thus, simple device fabrication and low cost. Although major steps forward have been achieved in terms of PEMFC design since the onset of research in this area, further developments allowing wide spread commercialisation of this technology are more likely to come from improvements in the central PEMFC components. Currently, there are two major obstacles inhibiting the application of PEMFC namely, the low activity of anode catalysts and the phenomenon of methanol crossover through the polymer electrolyte membrane from the anode to cathode side. Efforts have been expended in developing new anode catalysts and, to some extend, methanol impermeable membranes.This paper reviews the choice of materials and main methods of manufacture of photovoltaic solar cells, modules, spectrally selective surfaces, and PEMFC components that are commercially available. The research and development works on solar and hydrogen energy systems including PEMFC components made in Istanbul Technical University also will be given.