The Solar Energy Laboratory (LES) has as its mission the development of metrological activities (physical processes) related to Solar Energy to characterize thermal systems (and their components), active and passive, from the capture of solar radiation to the supply of thermal energy (cold and heat) considering standardization development and development of products and its qualification.

The activities tend to be developed according to the NP EN ISO / IEC 17025 (General requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories) normative reference.

LES also participates in pre-standardization and standardization studies at European and international level and follows the normative activity of CT54, CEN TC 312, ISO TC 180 and IEC TC 117.

It is one of the nodes of the National Research Infrastructure: NZEB_Lab – Research Infrastructure on Integration of Solar Energy Systems in Buildings

The Laboratory of Solar Energy (LES) performs tests of collectors and solar thermal systems with experience on this field since the 80’s and with accredited activity since the 90’s. It is an Accredited Laboratory by IPAC according to NP EN ISO / IEC 17025. It is a member of the Solar Keymark Network and is recognized by certification bodies CERTIF, PT and DIN Certco, DE.

Outside the scope of accreditation LES performs:

• measurements for optical characterization of:

o   Absorbing and reflecting surfaces (components of solar collectors);

o   Building material surfaces (façade components) (e.g. determination of SRI – Solar Reflectance Index).

• pyranometer calibration;
• solar stores and combistores tests.

Supports the experimental activity as part of research projects dedicated to:

• Solar thermal technologies for low and medium temperatures, namely for integration of solar thermal systems in buildings and processes;
• Solar thermal technologies for high temperature systems – Solar Thermal Energy (STE), namely in the optical characterization of collector components (reflectors and absorbers).

All tests not included in the scope of accreditation are marked with *.