It is an object to provide a solid electrolyte and an electrochemical
system using the solid electrolyte which has a little expansion
(swelling) and whose strength does not decrease in case of positioning
the solid electrolyte including a complex compound composed of an
inorganic compound, polyvinyl alcohol, and water, in a wet condition. It
is possible to use the solid electrolyte in a device such as a fuel cell
or an electrolytic device used with the wet condition. The solid
electrolyte has a little size variation even if humidity varies and has a
low methanol permeability. The solid electrolyte is produced by replacing
a part or all of hydroxyl groups of polyvinyl alcohol domain to groups
each of which has a water absorption less than that of said hydroxyl
group, in the solid electrolyte including a complex compound which is
composed of polyvinyl alcohol, water, and at least one inorganic compound
selected from silicic acid compound, tungstic acid compound, molybdic
acid compound, stannic acid compound, and zirconic acid compound.