The TI solar energy system development

The Texas Instruments Solar Energy System (TISES) concept and development status is described. Texas Instruments has had the TISES approach under development for several years. This new system concept combines the energy conversion and storage functions in a novel way. Small silicon solar cells are immersed in an electrolyte, and the current generated by the cells is used directly to electrolyze a halogen acid, such as HBr. The hydrogen and bromine produced can be stored separately (hydrogen as a hydride and bromine in solution) until needed and then recombined in a fuel cell to produce electrical energy on demand. The fuel cell HBr product is returned to the solar chemical convertor to complete the closed loop energy cycle. Component and system feasibilities have been demonstrated.