One-of-a-kind solar park to produce 250 liters of hydrogen daily, alongside power
Four Belgian companies have signed an agreement to construct the world’s first solar hydrogen park, which will combine solar power generation and on-site hydrogen production in a single, integrated facility.
The consortium, comprising solar energy project developer Ether Energy, solar EPC expert SunBuild, technology company Solhyd, and hydrogen and industrial gases expert Nippon Gases, recently signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to create a solar hydrogen park.
Based on Solhyd technology, the two-megawatt-peak (MWp) solar installation will be constructed on a site in Wallonia, Belgium, in 2026. The consortium’s goal is to demonstrate how green hydrogen can be made simpler, cheaper and more scalable.
Jan Rongé, Solhyd’s CEO, revealed, and added that it represents a great step forward in the shift to green hydrogen,
This project is the first demonstration at a commercially relevant scale and serves as a reference for further rollout
“It’s another concrete step in our growth.”
Solar power and hydrogen
Designed from technology pioneered at KU Leuven University, the Solhyd system generates hydrogen directly from sunlight and air. It also operates without relying on liquid water, rare metals or heavy grid infrastructure.
It features 50-kilowatt hydrogen modules, which will be installed alongside a two-megawatt-peak solar park with integrated battery storage. Together, the setup will produce both electricity and hydrogen, creating a hybrid energy site capable of powering industry while supplying green fuel.
The system is reportedly capable of producing 250 liters of hydrogen per day, at a peak efficiency of 15 percent.
The system is also modular, easy to install and radically simplifies the production of renewable hydrogen. Future solar parks are expected to increase the share of Solhyd modules, turning each site into a miniature clean-energy ecosystem.
According to Rongé, the project proves green hydrogen can be both practical and scalable.
He pointed out,
By harnessing the sun directly, we lower costs and drastically simplify the system,
“Together with our partners, we are delivering proof that it can be done.”
Building the future
Nippon Gases, one of Europe’s leading industrial and medical gas suppliers, will handle the post-processing, storage, and distribution of the hydrogen produced.
Johan Desmet, director of strategic growth and business development at Nippon Gases, stated,
For years we have supplied hydrogen in high-pressure containers to sectors such as food, chemicals, and pharma,
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Desmet noted that hydrogen is gaining traction across many sectors. “This project is an important step forward and demonstrates that we can now also offer green hydrogen – exactly what our industrial customers need.”
Meanwhile, Ether Energy, the project’s owner and operator, as well as SunBuild, the solar EPC specialist, aim to show that solar parks can generate more value than just electricity.
Pierre de Liedekerke, Ether Energy’s CEO, said in a press release,
This project demonstrates that sunlight can be valorized differently, through green hydrogen,
“It opens new perspectives for investors and is crucial for the energy transition.”
The demonstration site will operate for at least five years, with launch set for next year. At the same time, the consortium plans a two MW project for 2028, followed by rollout in Europe and sun-rich regions worldwide.
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One-of-a-kind solar park to produce 250 liters of hydrogen daily, alongside power, source
