Global hydrogen company Nel Hydrogen Electrolyser, a division of Nel ASA, has entered a collaboration with global provider of comprehensive solar photovoltaic (PV) solutions First Solar to develop integrated PV hydrogen power plants.

“We are very excited to announce the collaboration with First Solar – a leading global manufacturer of solar panels and developer of utility-scale solar power plants. We will leverage our capabilities to extend our common product offering to the end customer with a target to be able to deliver the lowest total cost of solar to hydrogen,” says Nel Hydrogen CEO Jon André Løkke.

Initially, First Solar and Nel Hydrogen will collaborate to develop an integrated power plant control and supervisory control and data acquisition system. The network architecture will enable optimisation of PV-electrolyser hybrid projects, resulting in the lowest total cost of hydrogen and electricity. The parties will, over time, explore further ways of optimising and integrating technology elements throughout the solar and hydrogen production plant.

“With our environmentally advantaged, responsibly-produced CadTel technology, we are well-positioned to address the market need for large-scale green hydrogen with the lowest carbon solar electricity available today,” enthuses First Solar CEO Mark Widmar.

He adds that First Solar is excited to collaborate with Nel – a leader in the production, storage and distribution of hydrogen from renewable-energy sources – to develop integrated PV hydrogen power plants. “As solar energy becomes mainstream, this is an excellent example of how we will power the new alternatives.”

First Solar’s advanced thin film PV modules represent the next generation of solar technologies, providing a competitive, high-performance, lower-carbon alternative to conventional crystalline silicon PV panels. From raw material sourcing and manufacturing through to end-of-life module recycling, First Solar’s approach to technology embodies sustainability and a responsibility towards people and the planet.