Solar Hydrogen Challenge

Alkaline Electrolyzer Sourcing

• 1kg/hr system takes a 60kW PV system for the magical 60kWhr/kg yield. But - separating membrane there can be $5-10k. Costs $40k.
  • This system produces 60 tons over lifetime - or $120k worth of hydrogen - or ROI=3x.
• Make your own plates - nickel coating mild steel - 50 lb nickel for 1 kg/hr - and 200 lb salts. Cost several hundred dollars for 1 kg/hr.
• For 10kg/hr - cost is about $150k capex, so if this gives 60k hours or 600k kg (600 tons) - return is $1.2M at $150k capex, closer to 10x ROI. [1]
  • Separator is only 10% capex. [2]
  • If we go open source, we can lower cost so separator is 50% capex. Capex would then be $30k in the zero marginal cost scenario. That will take time.
  • If off the shelf $150k capex - then payback is 150000/240= 625 days. Now we are talking.
  • Technical challenge is there.
• But liberation is nigh. Ufortunately, Hydrogen smells like infrastructure. Batteries smell like equipment. Finance favors equipment.