A research team led by Cornell University has developed a groundbreaking solar-powered device capable of producing green hydrogen directly from seawater, while simultaneously generating potable water. This innovative system, known as the Hybrid Solar Distillation-Water Electrolysis (HSD-WE) device, has the potential to significantly reduce industrial dependence on freshwater, leading to a substantial decrease in emissions within energy-intensive industries. The technology eliminates the need for high-purity water typically required in conventional electrolysis systems by integrating solar-powered desalination directly into the electrolysis process. By utilizing a capillary wick to create a thin film of seawater, the system achieves over 90% evaporation efficiency. Waste heat from solar photovoltaic cells is efficiently reused for desalination, while the electricity produced powers the electrolysis process. The compact prototype, designed by the researchers, maximizes solar energy utilization by combining thermal, electrical, and chemical processes. This results in nearly full utilization of solar energy and the production of green hydrogen, alongside excess clean water. The team envisions scaling up the technology for deployment in solar farms, where it could support distributed hydrogen production and enhance the overall energy efficiency by aiding in the cooling of photovoltaic panels. Lenan Zhang, the project lead and assistant professor at Cornell, emphasized the significance of the innovation, stating that it can now sufficiently meet the demand for hydrogen production while also providing additional drinking water. This breakthrough marks a step towards more sustainable energy solutions that leverage abundant resources like seawater and sunlight, emphasizing a move towards a greener future.