Solar investment advisory

News

August 2008

Discovery of a process allowing to store unlimitedly solar energy

A discovery made public during the summer 2008 by MIT researchers could remove the limits related to the storage of solar energy.
These researchers have developed a process which makes it possible to convert water into oxygen and hydrogen by taking as a starting principle the photosynthesis of the plants (separation of hydrogen out of water and carbon out of carbon dioxide).

This discovery will make it possible to store solar energy in a simple, unlimited and cheap way.
The key element is provided by an electrode of oxide of tin and indium plunged in a solution of cobalt and potassium phosphate.
During the day, PV panels provide electricity necessary to the consumption of a house for example, the excess of energy allows to produce

hydrogen. During night time hydrogen is recombined with oxygen to generate electricity. The obtained water is then recollected to be separated again the next day. The practical application of this process is expected at a horizon of about ten years, for the housing buildings and electric cars.