SOPHIE

SOPHIE is developing a hybrid multi-product collector that uses innovative spectral splitting to make sunlight simultaneously available for photoelectrochemical hydrogen production, photovoltaic electricity generation and solar thermal heat use. The aim is to improve the area-efficient use of the solar spectrum and contribute to the decentralised production of green hydrogen, renewable electricity, heat and sustainable chemicals.
The project combines expertise in photovoltaics, photoelectrochemistry and concentrated solar thermal energy into an integrated collector concept. In addition to technological development, SOPHIE includes the realisation and testing of a first laboratory-scale prototype.
The Energy Institute at Johannes Kepler University Linz is responsible for the project’s sustainability assessment. Especially ecological aspects are analysed to assess the potential impacts of the technology at an early stage and to support sustainable implementation pathways for industrial and regional applications.