A group of four leading companies has announced plans to build the world’s first solar hydrogen park based on Solhyd’s award-winning technology, marking a global breakthrough for green hydrogen innovation. Set to be constructed in 2026 in Wallonia, Belgium, the project will integrate solar power, battery storage, and direct hydrogen production into a single, scalable system — establishing a complete value chain from sunlight to industrial hydrogen use.
The initiative brings together a powerful consortium of Belgian and international partners:
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Ether Energy, the project owner and solar energy developer;
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SunBuild, a specialist in solar EPC and battery integration;
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Solhyd, the technology innovator behind the hydrogen modules; and
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Nippon Gases, a global expert in hydrogen storage, processing, and distribution.
Together, they will construct a hybrid solar park that combines 2 MWp of solar panels with 50 kW of Solhyd modules and battery storage. Unlike conventional systems, Solhyd’s panels produce hydrogen directly from sunlight and air, requiring no liquid water, no rare metals, and no heavy grid connections.
“This is the first commercial-scale demonstration of our technology — a true turning point for solar hydrogen,” said Jan Rongé, CEO of Solhyd. “We’re showing that clean hydrogen can be produced simply, efficiently, and affordably by harnessing the power of the sun. Together with our partners, we’re taking green hydrogen from lab innovation to industrial reality.”
A New Model for Solar Energy
By combining electricity and hydrogen production at the same site, the project represents a paradigm shift in renewable energy development. It offers solar park operators a new business model, reducing exposure to negative electricity prices and unlocking hydrogen as a parallel revenue stream.
“This project shows that sunlight can now be transformed directly into green hydrogen,” said Pierre de Liedekerke, CEO of Ether Energy. “It creates new opportunities for investors and is vital to strengthening Europe’s energy transition.”
“Integrating hydrogen and solar power on a single site has always been a technical challenge,” added Gilles Charlier, Managing Director of SunBuild. “By combining innovation with industrial expertise, we are proving it can be done — creating a new generation of hybrid energy parks that deliver both renewable electricity and green hydrogen.”
Industrial Validation
For Nippon Gases, the project demonstrates the immediate industrial potential of solar hydrogen.
“Hydrogen has long been central to our business,” said Johan Desmet, Managing Director of Nippon Gases Belgium. “Now, we can also deliver green hydrogen to our industrial customers — from food and chemicals to next-generation chip manufacturing. This project shows that sustainable hydrogen production is ready for real-world integration.”
From Pilot to Scale-Up
The 50 kW demonstration site will operate for at least five years, paving the way for a 2 MW commercial plant in 2028 and subsequent rollouts across Europe and sun-rich regions worldwide.
With this project, Belgium positions itself at the forefront of solar-driven hydrogen innovation, showcasing a practical, scalable pathway toward energy autonomy and climate neutrality.
“Our goal is simple,” said Jan Rongé. “We want every solar park in the world to have the option to produce not only electricity but also hydrogen — clean, local, and sustainable.”
