Solar chemical refers to a number of possible processes that harness solar energy by absorbing sunlight in a chemical reaction in a way similar to photosynthesis in plants but without using living organisms. No practical process has yet emerged.
A promising approach is to use focussed sunlight to provide the energy needed to split water into its constituent hydrogen and oxygen in the presence of a metallic catalyst such as zinc. This is normally done is a two step process so that hydrogen and oxygen are not produced in the same chamber leading to potentially explosive consequences.

It is also possible to use solar light to drive industrial chemical reactions and applications without a requirment for fossil fuel.

External links

• Laboratory for Solar Technology - Paul Scherrer Institute , Villigen, Switzerland.
• Power & Energy Magazine , March 2004 article on Paul Scherrer Institute work
• Solar Chemistry Project Plataforma Solar de Almería, Spain,
• Isracast - Israel,
• Hydrogen Solar- UK.