The first hydrogen production and fueling station in the Los Angeles area started operation at Honda’s research and development center in Torrance. The station is part of Honda’s ongoing research into renewable energy and will be used for hydrogen production, storage and fueling. The station's operation starts with the solar cells using the sun's energy to produce electricity, which is then used to extract hydrogen from water. A compressor pressurizes the extracted hydrogen, and it is stored in tanks at the station. Available solar power can produce enough hydrogen to drive a single fuel cell vehicle for a year. Hydrogen-powered Honda fuel cell vehicles have been operating since 1999 and have been participating in the California Fuel Cell Partnership (CaFCP) program near Sacramento since November 2000.