A consortium of Belgian companies has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to construct the world’s first solar hydrogen park in Wallonia. The innovative installation will integrate hydrogen-producing solar modules into a traditional solar power system, creating a dual-output renewable energy facility.
Set to begin operations next year, the project will feature 50 kW of hydrogen-producing solar modules developed by Solhyd, combined with a 2 MW solar park connected to battery storage. The site will produce both electricity and hydrogen from solar energy and operate for five years as a demonstration of scalable clean technology.
Under the agreement, Brussels-based Ether Energy will own and operate the facility. Solhyd will supply and maintain its hydrogen-producing modules, while SunBuild will design and build the integrated solar-plus-storage system. Nippon Gases will manage the post-processing, storage, and distribution of the hydrogen.
Solhyd’s technology was developed over a decade ago at KU Leuven University. It utilizes a modular system that produces hydrogen directly from sunlight and air, without requiring liquid water, rare materials, or heavy grid connections. Each module can generate around 250 liters of hydrogen per day, with a peak efficiency of 15%.
According to Solhyd, future installations will feature an increased share of hydrogen-producing modules compared to conventional panels. The company aims to develop a 2 MW hydrogen-only solar project by 2028, followed by broader deployment across Europe and regions with high solar potential.
“This project is the first demonstration at a commercially relevant scale and serves as a reference for further rollout,” said Jan Rongé, CEO of Solhyd. “We are proving that green hydrogen can be approached in a pragmatic and scalable way. By harnessing the sun directly, we lower costs and drastically simplify the system.”
Industry experts note that integrating hydrogen production into solar parks could help reduce grid congestion and boost the economic value of renewable installations, particularly during periods of low or negative electricity prices.
By combining solar power, hydrogen generation, and energy storage, the Wallonia project could become a model for sustainable power systems in Europe. It represents a key step toward diversifying renewable energy sources while contributing to Belgium’s decarbonization goals and Europe’s wider clean energy strategy.
