The photovoltaic/hydrogen hybrid energy system IPRO was started eight years ago. A group of students with their faculty advisor began a semester to investigate the use of solar energy to power an... Show moreThe photovoltaic/hydrogen hybrid energy system IPRO was started eight years ago. A group of students with their faculty advisor began a semester to investigate the use of solar energy to power an electric sign. Since that time, a significant amount of progress has been made. The project progressed from the design phase to the laboratory phase. Once functioning, it was transferred to the roof of the Co-Gen plant on the IIT main campus. During this phase of the project, Phase I, a photovoltaic system was set up that included several solar panels on the roof. Also, a large LED sign was installed on the roof. An array of power management devices were set up at the project site inside the Co-Gen plant. Phase II of the project was planned in order to incorporate an electrolyzer and fuel cell as an energy back up system in conjunction with the PV system. Although these components exist at the work site, they are not integrated into the complete system and are merely there to demonstrate using hydrogen to power an electric load. Show less
