Abstract <p>This study investigates the energy and exergy performance of an integrated solar photovoltaic (PV), proton exchange membrane electrolyzer (PEME) and proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) system for yellow hydrogen production, storage and reconversion to electricity. A mathematical model was developed for each subsystem and validated against measurements from a laboratory-scale rig operated under real outdoor conditions. The influence of solar irradiance, module temperature, wind speed, water flow rate, current density, reactant stoichiometry and loading on system performance was examined using energy and exergy analyses. The model predicts maximum overall solar-to-hydrogen-to-power energy and exergy efficiencies of 7.52% and 7.16%. The corresponding experimentally determined overall efficiencies are 5.18% (energy) and 4.91% (exergy). The study identifies fuel cell as the dominant source of irreversibility and the primary target for further optimization. Analysis of current–voltage, power, hydrogen production and efficiency characteristics elucidates the thermo-electrochemical mechanisms governing performance and reveals efficiency optimal operating windows for irradiance, current density and flow rate. Although the round-trip electrical efficiency is modest compared with electrochemical batteries, the proposed architecture offers long duration, potentially seasonal energy storage without self-discharge, negligible direct carbon dioxide emissions when powered by solar energy and dispatchable power suitable for off-grid and remote applications. The findings demonstrate that PV-driven PEM hydrogen systems are technically viable building blocks for net-zero, resilient energy infrastructures and provide a quantitatively benchmarked basis for future work on advanced control, multi-objective optimization and comprehensive techno-economic and life cycle assessment.</p> Graphical Abstract <p></p>