The current-voltage (I-V) studies for p-SiC in KOH and n-SiC in Na2SO3 in a two-electrode configuration indicated that SiC-based photoelectrochemical systems can be a possibility for water splitting. With illumination there is appreciable photocurrent generation at the semiconductor-electrolyte interface, which correspond to water splitting to form hydrogen and oxygen at the respective electrodes. The C-V analysis gave an idea about the hat-band potential and carrier concentration. (C) 2000 International Association for Hydrogen Energy. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.