Patent ID: 7906007
Filing Date: 2011-03-15
Classification: C25B,Y02E,Y02P

Abstract:
1. A method for operation of a hydrogen-producing electrolyzer powered by two or more available photovoltaic modules, an array of modules, irradiated by sunlight, the electrolyzer having two or more electrolytic cells and having an operating direct current and an operating voltage, one or more photovoltaic modules being connectable in parallel or series circuit arrangement to form different arrays of module(s) for delivery of direct current power to the electrolyzer cells where a given array of module(s) may include less than the total number of available modules, the method comprising: pre-determining maximum power point operating voltages for representative arrays of module(s); determining an operating current and operating voltage for the electrolyzer for a desired hydrogen production rate; and selecting and employing a photovoltaic array of module(s), as a presently operating array, to operate at its maximum power point voltage for delivery of the determined operating current and operating voltage to the electrolyzer.