Given the backdrop of intense interest and widespread discussion on the prospects of a hydrogen energy economy, this book aims to provide an authoritative and up-to-date scientific account of hydrogen generation using solar energy and renewable sources such as water. While the technological and economic aspects of solar hydrogen generation are evolving, the scientific principles underlying various solar-assisted water splitting schemes already have a firm footing. This book aims to expose a broad-based audience to these principles. This book spans the disciplines of solar energy conversion, electrochemistry, photochemistry, photoelectrochemistry, materials chemistry, device physics/engineering, and biology.

The Hydrogen Energy Economy.- The Solar Resource.- Electrolysis of Water.- A Solar Concentrator Pathway to Low Cost Electrolytic Hydrogen.- Thermochemical and Thermal/Photo Hybrid Solar Splitting of Water.- Photochemical Splitting of Water.- Hydrogen Generatiion from Irradiated Semiconductor-Liquid Interfaces.- Photobiological Hydrogen Generation.- Centralized Production of Hydrogen using a Coupled Water Electrolyzer-Solar Photovoltaic System.