About this facility

The Solar Energy Laboratory (LES) develops metrological activities 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. LES is a testing laboratory accredited according to NP EN ISO/IEC 17025, with Accreditation Certificate N.º L0086-1 from IPAC. Within its accreditation it performs tests of collectors and solar thermal systems, being recognized by certification bodies CERTIF (PT), AENOR (ES) and Eurovent Certita Certification (FR) and being a member of the Solar Keymark Network. Outside the scope of its accreditation, LES performs: • measurements for optical characterization of: o Absorbing and reflecting surfaces; o Building material surfaces. • pyranometer calibration; • solar stores and combistores tests; • measurement of the electric performance of PVT collectors. LES also supports 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).

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