A Cornell-led collaboration has developed a low-cost method to produce green hydrogen through solar-powered electrolysis of seawater, alongside the production of potable water. The hybrid solar distillation-water electrolysis device currently achieves 200 milliliters of hydrogen per hour with 12.6% energy efficiency directly from seawater under natural sunlight. The researchers estimate that within 15 years, this technology could decrease the cost of green hydrogen production to $1 per kilogram, a crucial milestone in the path to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. The device leverages waste heat from solar panels to evaporate seawater, enabling desalination and clean water production as well. By trapping water in a thin film through a capillary wick, the evaporation efficiency is boosted to over 90%, making the process highly efficient. This integrated technology combines desalination with electrolysis and solar energy conversion, offering a sustainable solution to address water scarcity and hydrogen production challenges. The potential for large-scale adoption and market potential is significant, with the aim of contributing to a greener and cleaner future.