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Summary In this study, lab‐made modified graphite cathodes were used to design and implement floating PV assisted alkaline electrolysis cell. The influence of temperature on PV performance was studied both experimentally and theoretically, and the PV module performance was investigated in floating as well as non‐floating modes. Power generation of floating PV panel and non‐floating PV panel at four different air temperatures was examined. Although there was no substantial improvement in power generation at 6°C or 16°C, values improved by 6.25% and 10.75% at 24°C and 37°C, respectively. For alkaline electrolysis cell part of this system, the graphite (G) cathode was galvanostatically coated with nickel (G/Ni) and decorated with cobalt nano‐particles (G/Ni/Co). The characterization of the electrode was achieved using X‐Ray diffraction (XRD) and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). The Co(111)‐decorated Ni was determined by XRD, the electrode surface was very rough in FE‐SEM micrographs, the detected features provided a larger contact area that supported the formation of simultaneous electrochemical reactions. The electrochemical behavior of electrodes were determined in 1 M KOH by cyclic voltammetry (CV). The modified cathode (G/Ni/Co) enhanced the hydrogen production performance owing to lower hydrogen onset potential. Electronic structure calculations were carried out in order to investigate water as well as proton adsorption on a Co‐decorated Ni(111) surface. Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations identified the role of Co cluster and Ni surface on water and proton adsorptions. According to our knowledge of the literature to date, the practical and theoretical analysis of a floating PV assisted‐an alkaline electrolysis system that worked with the laboratory‐made electrodes has not been performed before. Results showed that floating PV panels were beneficial than land mounted panels and the G/Ni/Co enhanced the hydrogen generation performance of the system.

Energy demand increases with increasing population and industrial developments. Unfortunately, non-renewable sources are used to meet a large portion of the demand. As a result of the negative effects, researchers have begun to investigate renewable sources by working in a variety of fields in order to ensure the energy and humanity's long-term sustainability. Renewable energy sources are very important for the future of the world. In this regard, we can claim that the convenient solution is "hydrogen" which is a promising energy carrier. In this study, alkaline electrolysis system was preferred due to the advantage of being easily integrated with renewable energy sources to meet the power requirements of the system. The platinum (Pt) and stainless steel (SS) electrodes were used as anodes. Graphite (G) and ternary transition metals (nickel, copper, cobalt) modified graphite (G/NiCoCu) electrodes were used as cathode. The modified electrodes were prepared by using a galvanostatic method. The various operation voltages were applied that varied from 2.3V to 3V in order to realize water splitting reaction. The amount of produced hydrogen gas was increased with increasing operation voltage. According to the experimental results, at 3V for 15 minutes of electrolysis time, the produced H 2 gas values were 15 mL, 11.13 mL and 13.12 mL for Pt -G (Cell-1), SS -G (Cell-2) and SS -G/ NiCoCu (Cell-3), respectively.

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Hydrogen fuel has the potential to reduce CO2 emissions significantly. In this study, PV-alkaline electrolysis cell was combined and during day time it was harvested energy. Some of the deposited energy was used on-grid alkaline electrolysis cell and hydrogen was produced also was stored. In the electrolysis system, Ni-based coatings were operated on steel mesh with the help of the electrodeposition method. It was used re-cycled steel mesh substrates in order to decrease operational costs and also in order to encourage metal-cycling in our country. The relevancy of cathodes was investigated using bulk electrolysis. The characterization was achieved via scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX). Results define both effects of "lab-made cathodes performance comparison" and "the trend of PV panel under different climate and weather conditions". This system reflects the real-time measurements for Adana, Sarıcam region of Turkey.