
SolarBEAT outdoor test facility for BIPV(T)
SolarBEAT facilitates the development, testing and monitoring of innovative solar energy products in a real life environment. Both solar thermal and solar electricity are within the scope of this test facility.
Research on PV
Research is being done on complete systems and individual components such as: e.g. new Building Integrated PV (BIPV) products, solar thermal collectors or complete systems, PVT (combination of electricity and thermal), and electronical solar-related products, such as (micro-)inverters and power optimizers.

The outdoor research at SolarBEAT serves several purposes:
- In close collaboration with the project team that contains a.o. architects, builders, developers, and installers, we further improve existing solar products or find opportunities to develop new innovative products.
- We determine the performance model based on high quality measurement data, measured 24/7 from calibrated equipment. This is essential for a sound business case and can be crucial before market introduction.
- Together we showcase the solar product to potential customers.

SolarBEAT is equipped with the highest standard weather station and a dense network of sensors for irradiation, temperature and energy yield. Moreover, SolarBEAT also has a full installation for solar thermal research with buffer tanks, flow controllers and many sensors. All sensors are synchronized and stored in a central database server. Access of data is professionally organized in such a way that confidential and project-specific data never gets mixed up with public data or data of other projects.
Get inspired
PVinMotion 2023
PVinMotion 2023 grants an opportunity to share your newest discoveries and findings on vehicle-integrated photovoltaics. Take part in this unique scientific conference. Join TNO and industry at the Conference & Exhibition on Solutions for Vehicle Integration.
Favourable business case for solar heat in homes
Solar heat can make an important contribution to increasing the sustainability of our heat supply. Photovoltaic-thermic (PVT) systems on the roof can, in combination with a heat pump, supply homes with heat and hot water. This would make natural gas redundant, thereby decreasing carbon emissions. There are plenty of options, but what about the cost-benefit analysis?


Solar energy
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Solar panels on windows, façades, and roofs

