First Solar-Powered Hydrogen Fueling Station Debuts in Connecticut

WALLINGFORD, Conn. -- Sister companies, Proton Energy Systems, a leader in on-site hydrogen generation and SunHydro, an upcoming chain of hydrogen fueling stations opened, on Oct. 15, its first solar-powered station under the SunHydro banner, at 10 Technology Drive in Wallingford, Conn.

According to Business Wire, the first-of-its-kind solar-powered fueling station allows fuel cell vehicles to travel on sun and water. The fueling station generates hydrogen on-site using Proton Energy Systems' enhanced proton exchange membrane technology that derives hydrogen from water. The hydrogen fuel will generate electrical power without pollution, where the only emission in fuel cell vehicles is water vapor. According to the SunHydro company Web site: "fuel cell vehicles powered by hydrogen produce zero green house gases and when hydrogen is made on-site from water and using a renewable energy source (solar, wind, etc.), no fossil fuels are involved."

"The new SunHydro station is a step away from fossil fuels, and as a nation that's a path we need to continue to explore," said John Sullivan, owner of SunHydro and Proton Energy Systems. "We believe one of the answers is hydrogen energy and we as a country should continue to evolve a variety of alternative options."

SunHydro, in agreement with Toyota Motor Sales USA, Inc., will use 10 Toyota Advanced Fuel Cell Hybrid Vehicles (FCHV-adv) as part of the fuel cell demonstration and be used by SunHydro/Proton Energy Systems staff and community members to support the fueling station in Connecticut. "This station's accessibility and availability to everyday community members via the fuel cell demonstration cars is a big component of the overall education and engagement process for the consumer," said Rob Friedland, president and CEO of Proton Energy Systems.

The new station also marks the beginning of the East Coast Hydrogen Highway, SunHydro's plan to supply hydrogen to fuel cell vehicles traveling all the way from Maine to Florida. To start, limited public access is available with full public access in the future.