EN ISO 9806:2025
(Main)Solar energy - Solar thermal collectors - Test methods (ISO 9806:2025)
Solar energy - Solar thermal collectors - Test methods (ISO 9806:2025)
This document specifies test methods for assessing the durability, reliability, safety and thermal performance of fluid heating solar collectors. The test methods are applicable for laboratory testing and for in situ testing.
This document is applicable to all types of fluid heating solar collectors, air heating solar collectors, hybrid solar collectors co-generating heat and electric power, as well as to solar collectors using external power sources for normal operation and/or safety purposes. This document does not address electrical safety aspects or other specific properties directly related to electric power generation.
This document is not applicable to devices in which a thermal storage unit is an integral part to such an extent that the collection process cannot be separated from the storage process for making the collector thermal performance measurements.
Solarenergie - Thermische Sonnenkollektoren - Prüfverfahren (ISO 9806:2025)
Dieses Dokument legt Prüfverfahren für die Bewertung der Dauerhaftigkeit, Zuverlässigkeit, Sicherheit und thermischen Leistungsfähigkeit von Fluidkollektoren fest. Die Prüfverfahren sind anwendbar für Prüfungen im Labor und in situ.
Dieses Dokument ist anwendbar für alle Arten von Flüssigkeitskollektoren, Luftkollektoren, Hybridkollektoren, die sowohl Wärme als auch Energie erzeugen, sowie Sonnenkollektoren, die externe Energiequellen für den Normalbetrieb und/oder Sicherheitszwecke verwenden. Dieses Dokument befasst sich nicht mit elektrischen Sicherheitsaspekten oder sonstigen besonderen Eigenschaften, die sich direkt auf die Stromerzeugung beziehen.
Dieses Dokument ist nicht auf Geräte anwendbar, bei denen ein Wärmespeicher ein integraler Bestandteil ist, so dass sich der Sammelprozess nicht vom Prozess der Wärmespeicherung trennen lässt, wie dies erforderlich ist, um Messungen der thermischen Leistungsfähigkeit durchzuführen.
Énergie solaire - Capteurs solaires thermiques - Méthodes d'essai (ISO 9806:2025)
Le présent document spécifie les méthodes d'essai permettant d'évaluer la durabilité, la fiabilité, la sécurité et la performance thermique des capteurs solaires à circulation de fluide. Les méthodes d’essai sont applicables pour les essais en laboratoire et les essais in situ.
Le présent document s’applique à tous les types de capteurs solaires à circulation de liquide, de capteurs solaires à air, de capteurs hybrides solaires produisant de l'énergie thermique et électrique ainsi que des capteurs solaires utilisant des sources d'alimentation externes pour leur fonctionnement normal et/ou à des fins de sécurité. Il n'aborde pas des aspects de sécurité électrique ni d'autres propriétés spécifiques directement en rapport avec la production d'énergie électrique.
Le présent document ne s'applique pas aux appareils dans lesquels un dispositif de stockage thermique constitue une partie intégrante, à tel point que les opérations de captage et de stockage de l'énergie ne peuvent pas être séparées en vue d'effectuer des mesures de performance thermique du capteur.
Sončna energija - Sprejemniki sončne energije - Preskusne metode (ISO 9806:2025)
General Information
- Status
- Published
- Publication Date
- 07-Oct-2025
- Technical Committee
- CEN/TC 312 - Thermal solar systems and components
- Drafting Committee
- CEN/TC 312/WG 1 - Solar collectors
- Current Stage
- 6060 - Definitive text made available (DAV) - Publishing
- Start Date
- 08-Oct-2025
- Completion Date
- 08-Oct-2025
Relations
- Effective Date
- 22-Oct-2025
- Effective Date
- 28-Jan-2026
- Effective Date
- 28-Jan-2026
- Effective Date
- 28-Jan-2026
- Effective Date
- 28-Jan-2026
- Effective Date
- 28-Jan-2026
- Effective Date
- 28-Jan-2026
- Effective Date
- 28-Jan-2026
- Effective Date
- 28-Jan-2026
- Effective Date
- 28-Jan-2026
- Effective Date
- 28-Jan-2026
- Referred By
EN 12976-2:2006 - Thermal solar systems and components - Factory made systems - Part 2: Test methods - Effective Date
- 28-Jan-2026
- Effective Date
- 28-Jan-2026
- Effective Date
- 28-Jan-2026
- Effective Date
- 28-Jan-2026
Overview
EN ISO 9806:2025 sets internationally recognized test methods for the evaluation of solar thermal collectors used in solar energy systems. Developed by the European Committee for Standardization (CEN), this standard specifies procedures that assess the durability, reliability, safety, and thermal performance of a wide range of fluid and air heating solar collectors, including hybrid systems that co-generate heat and electrical power. The test methods are applicable in both laboratory and in situ environments, ensuring their practical utility across various stages of product development and deployment.
By establishing a consistent framework for testing solar collectors, EN ISO 9806:2025 helps manufacturers, installers, and regulators ensure that solar thermal equipment performs to industry expectations, operates safely, and maintains long-term durability under real-world operating conditions.
Key Topics
This standard addresses several core aspects necessary for evaluating solar thermal collectors:
- Durability and Reliability: Methods for testing solar collectors’ long-term resilience to weather influences, temperature extremes, and mechanical stresses.
- Thermal Performance Testing: Procedures to accurately gauge collectors’ efficiency in converting solar energy to usable heat under defined operating conditions.
- Safety Assessments: Ensures general safety of collectors, particularly focusing on aspects relevant to fluid systems; does not cover electrical safety.
- Applicability to Collector Types:
- Liquid heating solar collectors
- Air heating solar collectors
- Hybrid collectors (heat and power co-generation)
- Testing with External Power Sources: Procedures for collectors requiring external power for normal operation or safety features.
- Exclusions: Not applicable to systems where thermal storage is inseparable from the collector, or where electric safety is a primary concern.
Applications
The test methods specified by EN ISO 9806:2025 are used by:
- Manufacturers: To certify new solar collector models for durability, efficiency, and compliance with industry requirements.
- Test Laboratories: For standardized performance assessments, supporting product development and market certification.
- System Designers and Installers: To select the most reliable and effective solar collectors for residential, commercial, and industrial heating applications.
- Regulatory Bodies and Certification Organizations: As the basis for compliance testing and product certification within the European Union and internationally.
- Quality Assurance: Enabling objective comparison between different types and brands of solar thermal collectors.
Key use cases include:
- Laboratory-based performance and reliability testing during R&D
- Field or in situ testing for confirming real-world performance
- Lifecycle and safety verification for systems installed in harsh climates or under intensive operating conditions
Related Standards
Professionals working with EN ISO 9806:2025 may also need to consult the following related standards:
- EN ISO 9806:2017 and EN ISO 9806:2018: Previous editions of the solar thermal collector test methods standard.
- EN ISO 9488: Solar energy - Vocabulary, for consistent terminology across projects.
- EN ISO 22975-3: Components for solar thermal systems - Durability and reliability of solar collectors.
- EN 12975 and EN 12976: Standards concerning solar thermal systems and components.
- EN ISO 9001: Guidelines for quality management systems relevant to product testing and manufacturing.
Practical Value
By aligning with EN ISO 9806:2025, stakeholders in the solar energy industry can ensure that solar collectors are tested rigorously for performance and safety, building customer trust and supporting the global transition to sustainable energy solutions. The standard helps unify the market, streamlines certification, and fosters innovation in solar thermal technology.
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Frequently Asked Questions
EN ISO 9806:2025 is a standard published by the European Committee for Standardization (CEN). Its full title is "Solar energy - Solar thermal collectors - Test methods (ISO 9806:2025)". This standard covers: This document specifies test methods for assessing the durability, reliability, safety and thermal performance of fluid heating solar collectors. The test methods are applicable for laboratory testing and for in situ testing. This document is applicable to all types of fluid heating solar collectors, air heating solar collectors, hybrid solar collectors co-generating heat and electric power, as well as to solar collectors using external power sources for normal operation and/or safety purposes. This document does not address electrical safety aspects or other specific properties directly related to electric power generation. This document is not applicable to devices in which a thermal storage unit is an integral part to such an extent that the collection process cannot be separated from the storage process for making the collector thermal performance measurements.
This document specifies test methods for assessing the durability, reliability, safety and thermal performance of fluid heating solar collectors. The test methods are applicable for laboratory testing and for in situ testing. This document is applicable to all types of fluid heating solar collectors, air heating solar collectors, hybrid solar collectors co-generating heat and electric power, as well as to solar collectors using external power sources for normal operation and/or safety purposes. This document does not address electrical safety aspects or other specific properties directly related to electric power generation. This document is not applicable to devices in which a thermal storage unit is an integral part to such an extent that the collection process cannot be separated from the storage process for making the collector thermal performance measurements.
EN ISO 9806:2025 is classified under the following ICS (International Classification for Standards) categories: 27.160 - Solar energy engineering. The ICS classification helps identify the subject area and facilitates finding related standards.
EN ISO 9806:2025 has the following relationships with other standards: It is inter standard links to EN ISO 9806:2017, CEN/TS 17811:2022, EN 505:1999, EN ISO 5467-1:2022, EN 442-2:2014, EN 4644-025:2015, EN 10305-1:2002, EN 14889-1:2006, EN 12977-5:2012, EN 13203-3:2010, EN 12977-5:2018, EN 12976-2:2006, EN 12976-1:2017, EN 12976-1:2006, EN 12976-1:2021. Understanding these relationships helps ensure you are using the most current and applicable version of the standard.
EN ISO 9806:2025 is available in PDF format for immediate download after purchase. The document can be added to your cart and obtained through the secure checkout process. Digital delivery ensures instant access to the complete standard document.
Standards Content (Sample)
SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-februar-2026
Nadomešča:
SIST EN ISO 9806:2018
Sončna energija - Sprejemniki sončne energije - Preskusne metode (ISO
9806:2025)
Solar energy - Solar thermal collectors - Test methods (ISO 9806:2025)
Solarenergie - Thermische Sonnenkollektoren - Prüfverfahren (ISO 9806:2025)
Énergie solaire - Capteurs solaires thermiques - Méthodes d'essai (ISO 9806:2025)
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: EN ISO 9806:2025
ICS:
27.160 Sončna energija Solar energy engineering
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.
EN ISO 9806
EUROPEAN STANDARD
NORME EUROPÉENNE
October 2025
EUROPÄISCHE NORM
ICS 27.160 Supersedes EN ISO 9806:2017
English Version
Solar energy - Solar thermal collectors - Test methods (ISO
9806:2025)
Énergie solaire - Capteurs solaires thermiques - Solarenergie - Thermische Sonnenkollektoren -
Méthodes d'essai (ISO 9806:2025) Prüfverfahren (ISO 9806:2025)
This European Standard was approved by CEN on 2 October 2025.
This European Standard was corrected and reissued by the CEN-CENELEC Management Centre on 10 December 2025.
CEN members are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations which stipulate the conditions for giving this
European Standard the status of a national standard without any alteration. Up-to-date lists and bibliographical references
concerning such national standards may be obtained on application to the CEN-CENELEC Management Centre or to any CEN
member.
This European Standard exists in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any other language made by
translation under the responsibility of a CEN member into its own language and notified to the CEN-CENELEC Management
Centre has the same status as the official versions.
CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia,
Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway,
Poland, Portugal, Republic of North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Türkiye and
United Kingdom.
EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION
COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATIO N
EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUN G
CEN-CENELEC Management Centre: Rue de la Science 23, B-1040 Brussels
© 2025 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved Ref. No. EN ISO 9806:2025 E
worldwide for CEN national Members.
Contents Page
European foreword . 3
European foreword
This document (EN ISO 9806:2025) has been prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 180 "Solar
energy" in collaboration with Technical Committee CEN/TC 312 “Thermal solar systems and
components” the secretariat of which is held by NQIS/ELOT.
This European Standard shall be given the status of a national standard, either by publication of an
identical text or by endorsement, at the latest by April 2026, and conflicting national standards shall be
withdrawn at the latest by April 2026.
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of
patent rights. CEN shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
This document supersedes EN ISO 9806:2017.
Any feedback and questions on this document should be directed to the users’ national standards
body/national committee. A complete listing of these bodies can be found on the CEN website.
According to the CEN-CENELEC Internal Regulations, the national standards organizations of the
following countries are bound to implement this European Standard: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria,
Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland,
Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of
North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Türkiye and the
United Kingdom.
Endorsement notice
The text of ISO 9806:2025 has been approved by CEN as EN ISO 9806:2025 without any modification.
International
Standard
ISO 9806
Third edition
Solar energy — Solar thermal
2025-10
collectors — Test methods
Énergie solaire — Capteurs solaires thermiques — Méthodes
d'essai
Reference number
ISO 9806:2025(en) © ISO 2025
ISO 9806:2025(en)
© ISO 2025
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, or required in the context of its implementation, no part of this publication may
be reproduced or utilized otherwise in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, or posting on
the internet or an intranet, without prior written permission. Permission can be requested from either ISO at the address below
or ISO’s member body in the country of the requester.
ISO copyright office
CP 401 • Ch. de Blandonnet 8
CH-1214 Vernier, Geneva
Phone: +41 22 749 01 11
Email: copyright@iso.org
Website: www.iso.org
Published in Switzerland
ii
ISO 9806:2025(en)
Contents Page
Foreword .vii
Introduction .ix
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms and definitions . 1
4 Symbols . 2
5 General . 6
5.1 Test overview — Sequence of the tests .6
5.2 Design operating range . .7
5.3 Testing of collectors with specific attributes .7
5.3.1 General .7
5.3.2 Collectors using external power sources for regular operation .7
5.3.3 Collectors with active self-protection .8
5.3.4 Collectors co-generating thermal and electrical power . .8
5.3.5 Tracking collectors .8
5.3.6 Air and liquid heating collectors .9
6 Internal pressure tests for fluid channels (liquid heating collectors only) . 9
6.1 Objective.9
6.2 Fluid channels made of non-polymeric materials .9
6.2.1 Apparatus and procedure .9
6.2.2 Test conditions .10
6.3 Fluid channels made of polymeric materials .10
6.3.1 Apparatus and procedure .10
6.3.2 Test conditions .10
6.4 Results and reporting . .10
7 Air leakage rate test (air heating collectors only) . 10
7.1 Objective.10
7.2 Apparatus and procedure .10
7.3 Test conditions .11
7.4 Results and reporting . .11
8 Standard stagnation temperature .11
8.1 Objective.11
8.2 Testing under stagnation conditions . 12
8.3 Measurement and extrapolation of the standard stagnation temperature . 12
8.4 Determining standard stagnation temperature using efficiency parameters . 13
8.5 Results and reporting . . 13
9 Exposure and half-exposure test .13
9.1 Objective. 13
9.2 Initial outdoor exposure .14
9.3 Method 1 (Outdoor exposure) .14
9.4 Method 2 (Heat transfer loop) .14
9.5 Method 3 (Indoor exposure) .14
9.6 Exposure test for collectors using active mechanism to protect against overheating . 15
9.7 Test conditions . 15
9.8 Results and reporting . . 15
10 External thermal shock test .15
10.1 Objective. 15
10.2 Apparatus and procedure . 15
10.3 Test conditions .16
10.4 Results and reporting . .16
iii
ISO 9806:2025(en)
11 Internal thermal shock test (liquid heating collectors only) .16
11.1 Objective.16
11.2 Apparatus and procedure .16
11.3 Test conditions .16
11.4 Results and reporting .16
12 Rain penetration test . 17
12.1 Objective.17
12.2 Apparatus and procedure .17
12.3 Test conditions .17
12.4 Results and reporting . .19
13 Freeze resistance test . 19
13.1 Objective.19
13.2 Freeze resistant collectors .19
13.2.1 General .19
13.2.2 Test conditions .19
13.2.3 Results and reporting . 20
13.3 Heat pipe collectors . 20
13.3.1 General . 20
13.3.2 Test conditions . 20
13.3.3 Results and reporting . 20
14 Mechanical load test with positive or negative pressure .20
14.1 Objective. 20
14.2 Apparatus and procedure .21
14.2.1 Mounting .21
14.2.2 Methods for the application of the loads .21
14.2.3 Particular specifications for tracking collectors or other specific collector types . 22
14.3 Test conditions . 22
14.4 Results and reporting . 22
15 Impact resistance test .22
15.1 Objective. 22
15.2 Test procedure . 22
15.3 Impact location . 22
15.4 Method 1: Impact resistance test using ice balls . 23
15.4.1 Apparatus . 23
15.4.2 Ice balls . 23
15.4.3 Specific aspects of the test procedure using ice balls . 23
15.5 Method 2: Impact resistance test using steel balls . 23
15.6 Results and reporting . .24
16 Active self-protection mechanisms.24
16.1 Objective.24
16.2 Apparatus and procedure .24
16.3 Test conditions .24
16.3.1 Loss of power test .24
16.3.2 Loss of communication test .24
16.3.3 Overheating protection test . 25
16.3.4 Adverse climatic conditions protection test . 25
16.4 Results and reporting . 25
17 Final inspection .25
17.1 Objective. 25
17.2 Test procedure . 25
17.3 Results and reporting . 26
18 Thermal performance testing .26
18.1 General . 26
19 Collector mounting and location .27
19.1 General .27
iv
ISO 9806:2025(en)
19.2 Shading from direct solar irradiance .27
19.3 Diffuse and reflected solar irradiance .27
19.4 Thermal irradiance.27
20 Instrumentation .28
20.1 Solar radiation measurement . 28
20.1.1 Pyranometer . 28
20.2 Thermal radiation measurement . 28
20.3 Temperature measurements . . 28
20.3.1 Heat transfer fluid temperatures (liquid heating collectors) . 28
20.3.2 Volume flow weighted mean temperature ϑ (air heating collectors). 29
m,th
20.3.3 Measurement of ambient air temperature . 29
20.4 Flow rate measurement. 30
20.4.1 Measurement of mass flow rate (liquid) . 30
20.4.2 Measurement of collector fluid flow rate (air heating collectors) . 30
20.5 Measurement of air speed over the collector . 30
20.5.1 General . 30
20.5.2 Required accuracy .31
20.5.3 Mounting of sensors for the measurement of air velocity over the collector.31
20.6 Elapsed time measurement .31
20.7 Humidity ratio (air collectors) .31
20.8 Collector dimensions.31
21 Test installation .31
21.1 Liquid heating collectors .31
21.1.1 General .31
21.1.2 Heat transfer fluid .32
21.1.3 Pipe work and fittings .32
21.2 Air heating collectors . 33
21.2.1 General . 33
21.2.2 Closed loop test circuit. 33
21.2.3 Open to ambient test circuit . 34
21.2.4 Heat transfer fluid . 34
21.2.5 Pump and flow control devices . 34
21.2.6 Air ducts . 34
21.2.7 Fan and flow control devices . 35
21.2.8 Air preconditioning apparatus . 35
21.2.9 Humidity ratio . 35
22 Thermal performance test procedures .35
22.1 General . 35
22.2 Preconditioning of the collector . 36
22.3 Test conditions . 36
22.3.1 General . 36
22.3.2 Flow rates . 36
22.3.3 Air speed parallel to the collector plane . 36
22.4 Test procedure .37
22.4.1 General .37
22.4.2 Steady-state method .37
22.4.3 Quasi-dynamic testing .37
22.5 Measurements . . 38
22.5.1 General . 38
22.5.2 Data acquisition requirements . 38
22.6 Test period . 38
22.6.1 Steady-state testing . 38
22.6.2 Quasi-dynamic testing . 39
22.7 Performance test using a solar irradiance simulator .42
22.7.1 General .42
22.7.2 Solar irradiance simulator for thermal performance testing .42
22.7.3 Additional measurements during tests in solar irradiance simulators .43
v
ISO 9806:2025(en)
22.7.4 Solar irradiance simulator for the measurement of incidence angle modifiers . 44
23 Computation of the collector parameters .44
23.1 Liquid heating collectors . 44
23.1.1 General . 44
23.1.2 Steady-state test method for liquid heating collectors . 44
23.1.3 Quasi-dynamic test method for liquid heating collectors .45
23.1.4 Data analysis .45
23.2 Air heating collectors .45
23.2.1 General .45
23.2.2 Steady-state test method for closed loop air heating collectors .45
23.2.3 Steady-state test method for open to ambient air heating collectors . 46
23.3 Standard reporting conditions (SRC) . 46
23.4 Standard uncertainties .47
23.5 Reference area conversion .47
24 Determination of the effective thermal capacity and the time constant . 47
24.1 General .47
24.2 Measurement of the effective thermal capacity with irradiance .47
24.3 Measurement of the effective thermal capacity using the quasi-dynamic method . 48
24.4 Calculation method for the determination of the effective thermal capacity . 48
24.5 Determination of collector time constant . 48
25 Determination of the incidence angle modifier (IAM) .49
25.1 General . 49
25.2 Modelling . 50
25.2.1 General . 50
25.2.2 Steady-state method .51
25.2.3 Quasi-dynamic method .51
25.3 Test procedures .52
25.3.1 Steady-state liquid heating collectors .52
25.4 Calculation of the collector incidence angle modifier.52
25.5 Reporting . 53
26 Determination of the pressure drop .53
26.1 General . 53
26.2 Liquid heating collectors . 53
26.2.1 Apparatus and procedure . 53
26.2.2 Pressure drop caused by fittings . 53
26.2.3 Test conditions . 54
26.3 Air heating collectors . 54
26.3.1 Apparatus and procedure .
...




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