ECN Forum Forums General Topics of the Trade General Discussion Area fuel cells

Has anyone worked with hydrogen fuel cells for the home? I've read a few articles about them and they seem to be an answer to my high electric bills and my customers.

I don't think they are ready for consumer use yet.

In the meantime, you should economize your electrical usage, and then consider adding a PhotoVoltaic and/or wind generator.

Hydrogen fuel cells have been around since the 1980s (or is it 70s)....why has it taken so long for this to hit the consumer market?

Not enough funding for reasearch & development?

There was an article in a trade magazine awhile ago showing them installed for some data centers.

They can sit around in standby without the maintenance that engine generator sets need, and when running are silent and only release water.

Side note: Photovoltaics for home/light commercial parallel operation with the local utility are up and running in California.

One guy's site in the area is http://www.nikolasolar.com/4kw_grid_tie_system.htm