Solar Frontier provides solar panels to Honda for fuel-cell-powered automobile projects

Solar Frontier has announced that it has provided a total of 20 kW of CIS thin-film solar panels for Honda Motor Company’s 70MPa Smart Hydrogen Station (SHS). The demonstration testing for SHS commenced on October 24th in Tokyo, Japan. This is the first time that Solar Frontier has supplied its solar panels for fuel-cell-powered automobile projects.

The 70MPa SHS utilizes Power Creator a high-differential-pressure electrolyzer system developed by Honda that generates high-pressure hydrogen gas without the use of a mechanical compressor. Solar Frontier’s CIS thin-film solar panels play a vital role as the source of power in the Power Creator.

According to the company its CIS thin-film solar panels deliver greater power generation capabilities in real-working conditions – even in high temperatures or partial shading – and are expected to make an outstanding contribution to the results of the demonstration testing.

“The ultimate in eco cars are fuel-cell-powered automobiles that emit zero CO2 or exhaust gas, instead generating power through hydrogen and using that electricity to run. We are delighted to see our solar panels adopted for this demonstration testing, and we look forward to seeing the spread of fuel-cell cars, thus contributing to solving climate change issues.” said Solar Frontier’s Director and Executive Officer Shinji Kato.

The demonstration testing is being carried forward by Honda with the aim of verifying the operational effect of the 70MPa SHS, which produces solar power-derived hydrogen. The demonstration testing looks at the CO2 reduction effect of the 70MPa SHS under real-world city conditions and its practical utility as a transplantable power-generating facility. This is done by putting the 70MPa SHS in operation with the Clarity Fuel Cell, Honda’s new fuel-cell-powered vehicle; and the Power Exporter 9000, Honda’s V2L-compatible portable external power output device.