The Solar Control Subtask group activities were aimed at defining and validating an innovative combined procedure to model and experimentally characterize external shading devices. The objectives were pursued throughout joined activities on detailed and simplified modelling, pilot experiments and testing The modelling was developed with some important innovative features, like three-dimensional characterization, actual representation of solar radiation and solar-optical properties, coupling of thermal performance Environment/Shading device/Glazing, actual film coefficients. It was based on the outcomes from specific experiments conducted in laboratory (solar-optical properties), in PASLINK test cells (film coefficients on glazing and shading device) and in a two-axis tracking bench equipped with a solar transmittance measurement apparatus properly developed. This outdoor testing allows to measure the average value of diffuse and angular direct solar transmittance of the non-homogeneous shading assembly with an accuracy better than ± 5% Finally, on the basis of the above results an innovative procedure based on a combined modelling/testing activity for the full characterization of the devices (parameters of shortwave radiation, long-wave radiation and convective exchanges) was set up and validated. The validation was successfully performed on five widespread shading components (retractable Venetian blind with metallic tilting slats, shulter with wooden tilting slats, fixed slats system, sunbreaker with movable vertical fins, roller blind). Furthermore, a preliminary procedure for daylighting performance evaluation of the shading device was defined and tested.