It is substantially more efficient, by unit of collecting area, to produce electricity using a regular solar panel and then electrolyse water for hydrogen. But of course collection area efficiency is not what matters, cost is. We don't know what the electrophotochemical equipment costs, or how that compares. It does seem more elegant, at a remove.
In practice, of course, you drive your electrolyser from solar, wind, hydro, geo, tidal, numerous forms of storage, or an unholy mix of all of them at different times -- whatever comes off the grid. At first, it will include NG sometimes, and nukes, until those are priced off of the market.
In practice, of course, you drive your electrolyser from solar, wind, hydro, geo, tidal, numerous forms of storage, or an unholy mix of all of them at different times -- whatever comes off the grid. At first, it will include NG sometimes, and nukes, until those are priced off of the market.