The dye-type solar cells would be much, much cheaper than current solar cells if they can ever figure out how to make them last more than a few days, so I hope they continue their research here. But this more effective electrolysis cell is just a byproduct of that research, not what they were aiming for to begin with — the eventual goal is to be able to produce hydrogen without first converting sunlight to electricity.
– Badtux the Solar Penguin
]]>This process is more efficient than current methods, because plants are more efficient than we are at preforming the task, and this is based on “plant technology”.
The problem with solar powered electrolysis is the power requirements to keep the process working; current solar cells aren’t that efficient. This process has lower power requirements, which significantly increases the output using solar cells.
]]>In short: It’s good. But it’s not the amazing breakthrough that’s advertised here. We already knew that electrolysis could be used to create hydrogen from solar power. This is just a slightly more efficient way of doing electrolysis.
– Badtux the Solar Penguin
]]>Consider an hydrogen powered car. The problem has been stated that hydrogen isn’t available at service stations. With this system, a hydrogen service station could be anywhere with sunlight and a water source, and the waste product would be oxygen.
It is a move to get people off the grid, which I know from personal experience, is not all that reliable. The so-called ritzy area of La Jolla in San Diego has a third-world electrical system. There is only one line in and the voltage is not stable or reliable.
Steve Bates along with a lot of people in Louisiana and Texas are all anticipating losing power because of the tropical storm, and that is going to affect the price of gasoline, because is right through the oil rigs in the Gulf, and the power loss will take down refineries.
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