Using Solar Energy in Methanol Production: Efficiency, Environmental Impact and Economical Performance

Abstract

This chapter is dedicated to methanol synthesis from carbon dioxide using solar energy. Understanding the importance of the methanol economy and its advantages as feedstocks for industries, there is a huge scope in the utilization of renewable resources in the form of solar energy to convert CO2 into solar fuels. This process would solve the energy crisis and control GHG emissions simultaneously. Like all areas of research, there are always breakthroughs and challenges side by side. In an attempt to summarize the utility of photocatalytic CO2 reduction to methanol, the scope of various photocatalysts, their composites and their utility has been detailed. An overall understanding of the methanol economy and environmental remediation is included.