Spin-off of KIT developing solar panel systems for direct solar hydrogen production from sunlight and water
photreon
Karlsruhe (DE)New on Amplifa
About photreon
photreon is a spin-off of the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) based in Karlsruhe. The company develops scalable technologies for the direct solar production of green hydrogen – without electricity conversion and without electrolysis. The foundation consists of patent-pending inventions that form a solar panel system producing hydrogen directly from sunlight and water. The technology enables simple verification of the inherently green origin of the hydrogen, for example for RFNBO compliance at EU level. photreon aims at an industrial hydrogen supply with high site flexibility and modularly adaptable plant sizes. The company targets pilot customers from the region, investors in solar hydrogen production technologies, and potential R&D cooperation partners. Media reports (Focus, Smart Up News) covered the technology in 2026.
- Site
- Karlsruhe
- Processes
- Direct solar hydrogen production (photoreactor panel, without electrolysis), Development of scalable technologies for direct solar hydrogen production, Solar panel system for generating green hydrogen without electrolysis, Patented/patent-pending technology with RFNBO compliance verifiability (EU)
- Materials
- Hydrogen, Water, Direct solar hydrogen production (photoreactor panel)
- Industries
- Renewable energy, Hydrogen technology, Solar industry
- 01
R&D and technology development
- 02
Development of the photoreactor panel
- 03
Verifiability of RFNBO compliance
- 04
Pilot projects with customers from the region
Materials/Processes
Water
Starting material for direct solar hydrogen production without electrolysis.
Hydrogen
Product of the photoreactor panel, produced directly from sunlight and water.
Direct solar hydrogen production (photoreactor panel)
Production of green hydrogen from sunlight and water without electrolysis.
Locations
Karlsruhe
DEHeadquarters (spin-off of the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology)
Systems
Inside the production
Industries
Processes & technical limits
| Processes | Tolerance | Max. part | Weight | Lot size | Materials |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Direct solar hydrogen production (photoreactor panel, without electrolysis)Other | – | – | – | – | Water |
Additional services
History
Spin-off of the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT); development of patent-pending technology for direct solar hydrogen production from sunlight and water
- 2026
Media reports (Focus, Smart Up News) on the German startup that produces hydrogen directly from sunlight and water without electrolysis