Experimental study to improve the performance of a solar-powered green hydrogen production system in Ouargla, Algeria

This study presents an experimental investigation into green hydrogen generation using a solar-powered system utilizing an indirect connection between photovoltaic panels and a Proton Exchange Membrane electrolyzer, under the climatic conditions of the Ouargla region in southern Algeria. The experimental results showed that system performance is significantly affected by solar radiation, ambient temperature, and the solar panel tilt angle. Experimental measurements were conducted over two days, April 12 and a typical April day according to the Klein days list, April 15, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The electrical power output from the panels, ambient and panel temperatures and the hydrogen flow produced were recorded. These experiments were also repeated on different months and seasons (January, February, May, June, and October) to study the seasonal impact on system performance. Under the experimental conditions of April 15, a simulation program was developed using MATLAB under the same experimental conditions as on April 15, using a Maximum Power Point control system to study the effect of the tilt angle. Simulation results showed that adjusting the tilt angle of the panels to the optimal angle for April (17°) significantly improved hydrogen production from 322.7 to 360.9 l, an increase in ∼12%. The cost of hydrogen production was estimated using a life cycle costing analysis methodology at ∼3.76$/kg, with an annual production capacity of 78.98 kg.