Efficient production of solar fuel using existing large scale production technologies

Abstract

Solar fuels can be produced efficiently already today using existing technologies. Liquid hydrocarbon fuels production from CO 2 and water with efficiencies approaching 10%-from solar energy to fuel-is feasible. This is about an order of magnitude higher than alternative technologies currently under development. The main challenge for further research is to reduce costs and further improve efficiency through optimized process schemes. The main challenge for further research is to reduce costs and further improve efficiency through optimized process schemes and PV systems. © 2011 American Chemical Society.