A new technology developed by Karlsruhe Institute of Technology aims to simplify green hydrogen production by generating it directly from sunlight and water, without the need for electricity, grid connection or electrolyzers.
The project, known as photreon, is working on photoreactor panels that use sunlight to split water into hydrogen and oxygen through a process called photocatalysis. The approach removes the need for conventional electrolysis, which typically requires significant power and infrastructure.
Co-founder Paul Kant said the technology produces chemical energy directly from sunlight, reducing both system complexity and costs. The panels combine the functions of solar power generation and hydrogen production into a single step, Chemeurope reported.
The system uses special light-sensitive materials that absorb solar energy and trigger the chemical reaction needed to split water. According to the team, the design allows efficient use of sunlight while enabling continuous production of hydrogen.
Researchers have already tested a one-square-metre prototype and demonstrated hydrogen generation. The panel design is built for mass production using low-cost materials and can be scaled up from small installations to large projects.
Co-founder Maren Cordts said the technology could be deployed in a wide range of settings, from rooftop systems at industrial sites to large solar-based hydrogen plants in regions with strong sunlight.
The developers say the panels could be particularly useful in areas without access to power grids or hydrogen pipelines, allowing industries such as chemicals, food processing and metal manufacturing to produce hydrogen on-site.
Officials believe the technology could open new pathways for expanding the use of green hydrogen by making production simpler, more flexible and potentially more affordable.
