Solar energy can be effectively transformed into methanol through 1. the photocatalytic process, 2. Utilizing captured carbon dioxide as a feedstock, 4. The photocatalytic method uses sunlight to drive chemical reactions that convert carbon dioxide (CO2) and water into. Volta Energy delivers green and sustainable energy supply solutions for construction sites and events. For them the main goal was a feasibility study for using excess solar power to create methanol. To support this study, the Mechanical and. Today it is technically possible to produce a transportable gas (H2), a transportable liquid fuel, or petrochemical feedstock (meth-anol) with minimal byproduct carbon dioxide (CO2), the primary global warming culprit. Solar energy can be harnessed directly by photovoltaic or photoelectrochemical. A research team led by Yale chemists has taken the ability of science to mimic photosynthesis to a new level, with a standalone device that produces methanol. This 3D illustration of the new artificial leaf highlights the device's photoelectrode, which is based on silicon micro-pillars and a cobalt.