The National Solar Thermal Test Facility (NSTTF) is the only test facility of its kind in the United States, providing a range of high flux and extreme temperature capabilities using concentrated sunlight to support the development of renewable energy technologies and the next generation of materials.
What we can do
Our expertise includes Power Tower Systems, Advanced Falling Particle Technology, Thermal Energy Storage, High Flux Environments, and Precision Optics and Metrology.
Working with us
The NSTTF welcomes all users. Several mechanisms are available for non-Sandia researchers to contract with Sandia to use the facility. Previous users include government contractors and agencies, research institutes, universities, and private companies.
What we research
Recent News
Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller recently honored Sandia solar researcher Ken Armijo for his outstanding community service...
Sandia National Laboratories’ Concentrating Solar Power program recently launched OpenCSP, a collaborative environment for CSP code...
The next installment of the National Solar Thermal Test Facility’s Concentrating Solar Power Seminar Series will...
Researchers at the National Solar Thermal Test Facility have successfully tested the Generation 3 Particle Pilot...
Join seminal solar researcher Professor Aldo Steinfeld on Monday, July 8, 2024, from 2:00 p.m. to...
Do you know an entrepreneur, innovator, or community partner looking for technical assistance to bring their...
Sandia’s National Solar Thermal Test Facility is partnering with the University of Arizona's Professor J. Roger...
The Heliostat Consortium has released its next request for proposals focused on lowering the costs of...
Sandia National Laboratories’ National Solar Thermal Test Facility recently conducted tests of Heliogen, Inc.’s proprietary automated...
Glimpse phases of the annular solar eclipse as it passes Sandia’s National Solar Thermal Test Facility...
This November, Sandia researchers will join partners and other national laboratories at Resilience Week 2023. Join...
Sandia National Laboratories and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory have decades of experience in providing decision...
Three interns who participated in the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Indian Energy-sponsored student internship...
Earlier this year the Heliostat Consortium, co-led by Sandia National Laboratories and the National Renewable Energy...
Join Concentrating Solar Power (CSP) manager Margaret Gordon and CSP researcher Randy Brost on Tuesday, Aug....
The Generation 3 Particle Pilot Plant at the National Solar Thermal Test Facility, which broke ground Feb. 16,...
A group of students from Gallup, Miyamura, and Grants high schools will visit Sandia National Laboratories...
Are you part of a rural, remote, island, or islanded community planning a clean energy project?...
Sandia hosted a Feb. 16 groundbreaking ceremony to begin the construction of a new solar tower...
Construction on the new tower at Sandia National Laboratories’ National Solar Thermal Test Facility (NSTTF) is...
Dec. 13 webinar will focus on Sandia's capabilities and expertise available for clean energy demonstration projects...
Sandia National Laboratories' (Sandia) researchers will present and exhibit at the upcoming SolarPACES 2022 conference taking...
Researchers explore making ammonia with little more than sun, air and hydrogen Sandia scientists are working...
Join Sandia National Laboratories’ National Solar Thermal Test Facility as it hosts, “Thermal Energy Storage Paradigms,”...
Program has provided hands-on experience, mentorship to nearly 50 Native American students 2022 marks a major...
Greener approach to a New Mexican staple opens possibilities for sustainable food roasting Sandia National Laboratories...
Sandia National Laboratories’ Concentrating Solar Power Program will present its third quarterly concentrating solar seminar, “Textured...
The eleventh story in a series about real people taking action to support clean energy features...
Sandia National Laboratories (Sandia) researchers will present and exhibit at the upcoming American Solar Energy Society...
May 31st deadline for required pre-registration is quickly approaching (no upfront payment required) Sandia National Laboratories...
The 51st Annual National Solar Conference will be held June 21-24, 2022, in Albuquerque, NM, at...
Sandia systems engineer Kenneth Armijo has been named a 2021 Most Promising Engineer-Ph.D. at the Hispanic Engineering National...
Systems engineering researcher Dr. Ken Armijo has been selected to receive the 2021 Hispanic Engineers National...
Sandia National Laboratories researchers have analyzed AeroShield Materials Inc.’s flat plate collector system, which integrates a...
Sandia National Laboratories began studying the power of the sun to produce utility-scale energy in the...
With nearly 150 million views on her popular YouTube channel since 2011, Dianna Cowern has been...