Clouds are reflected in a thermally activated glass façade.

Test roofs and façade test stands

Outdoor Test Facilities at ISFH – Real Conditions for Precise Solar Energy Research

ISFH conducts extensive operational tests under real weather and climate conditions. These outdoor tests are an integral part of the development and optimization of photovoltaic modules, solar thermal components and systems, as well as façade integration. Complementing standardized laboratory tests, the outdoor test facilities make it possible to analyze the behavior of components in real-world operating environments—particularly through system studies using hardware-in-the-loop test stands.

ISFH provides a wide range of outdoor test areas:

  • A hardware-in-the-loop outdoor test stand for large-scale solar thermal and photovoltaic façades up to 50 m².
  • Two tracking outdoor test stands, each with 20 m², ideal for performance testing of solar collectors.
  • Test roofs with a total area of 400 m², used for performance tests of collectors up to 180 °C as well as usability tests under real conditions.
  • An outdoor test stand for photovoltaic modules, with orientations of 45° and 90°.

These infrastructures enable precise evaluation of photovoltaic and solar thermal components, as well as their interaction within the energy system. In doing so, ISFH makes a key contribution to the advancement of the solar industry in Germany and beyond.