Assume that due to dwindling supplies of crude oil and natural gas, the US embarks on a plan to implement the "hydrogen economy" for which hydrogen will be generated by electrolysis of water. The source of electricity is from photovoltaic (PV) conversion of sunlight in the southwestern US.
(a) Assume that a flat plate PV system is used, with asolar conversion efficiency of 25 percent and a hydrogen production efficiency of 60 percent. Assume the average annual insolation in the southwest is 270 watts per square meter. Calculate the annual electrical energy produced in kJ/sq. meter.Calculate the weight of hydrogen (kg/sq. meter) produced per year.
(b) The US consumed 48 EJ of petroleum in 2000. How many square meters of PV collectors would be needed to supply the equivalent amount of energy in hydrogen?