An inauguration ceremony was held on December 4, 2025, in Panzhihua, China, for the world's first commercial-scale Photoelectrochemical (PEC) Hydrogen Production plant, marking what has been described as a landmark in the history of hydrogen development.

Plant Specifications and Investment

The facility spans 20,000 square meters and requires an investment of RMB 60 million. The plant has the capacity to produce 200 tons of high-purity hydrogen annually, which will supply a nearby refueling station.

Photoelectrochemical Technology

PEC hydrogen production represents an emerging technology that directly uses sunlight to split water into hydrogen and oxygen using a semiconductor-based device. These devices are often referred to as photoelectrolyzers or PEC cells.

A PEC cell consists of two semiconductor electrodes immersed in an electrolyte. The photoanode, which is an n-type semiconductor, absorbs photons and generates electron-hole pairs. The holes drive the Oxygen Evolution Reaction (OER). The photocathode, a p-type semiconductor, receives electrons that travel through an external circuit to the cathode, driving the Hydrogen Evolution Reaction (HER). The electrolyte facilitates ion transport throughout the process.

Cost Reduction Rationale

The core rationale behind Photoelectrochemical Hydrogen Production technology is cost reduction. Theoretically, without an intermediate step of dedicated solar power generation and electrolysis, this technology is regarded as a revolutionary solution to reduce CAPEX and the cost of green hydrogen production.

According to the researchers and developers of this plant, the cost of hydrogen production could decrease, though the specific cost figures were not fully disclosed in the available information.

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