GENERATION OF HYDROGEN BY MEANS OF SOLAR ENERGY: OPTIMIZATION OF A 'SOLAR BATTERY plus ELECTROLYZER' UNIT.

Optimization of a unit consisting of a solar battery and an electrolyzer is analyzed theoretically. For a given constant intensity of illumination, an algorithm of design optimization is found which makes it possible to determine the ratio between the number of elements connected in series for the solar battery and the electrolyzer. Next, the case of intensity of illuminating varying in time is considered, and a regime is calculated for switching these elements in order to maintain productivity at the maximum level. Finally, the ratio of overall areas of the solar battery and electrolyzer, which has been chosen arbitrarily in the two preceding stages, is calculated on the basis of the ratio of unit costs of these parts of the device in order to provide for maximum productivity per unit of capital expenditures.