SOLAR HYDROGEN-PRODUCTION - A SPANISH EXPERIENCE

In the framework of the solar energy activities carried out by INTA's Energy Laboratory, in 1990 a programme on solar hydrogen production and utilization was started. Within the general agreement between INTA and the regional government of Andalucia, a test and research plant for solar hydrogen production via water electrolysis was designed and erected in Huelva. The construction of the plant started in November 1991 and was finished in February 1992. The main objective of this facility is to test and evaluate the different technologies associated with solar hydrogen production, as well to stimulate research and development in this field in Spain. The plant is composed mainly of a 8.5 kW photovoltaic field with a flexible configuration of output voltage and current, and a 5.2 kW alkaline electrolyser. A test bench for PV module characterization, a conventional ac./d.c. converter for electrolyser characterization and a d.c./d.c. maximum power point tracker as power matching system complete the test facility. The paper contains a technical description of the installation, the test plan to be performed, results concerning electrolyser characterization and some preliminary results of continuous operation.