Reduced thermal losses and simplified system integration have previously been identified as main opportunities to improve the concept of collector integrated sorption modules for solar heating and cooling. A concept for a facade integrated sorption collector using Sydney type vacuum tube technology and air based heat transfer has been developed and tested in the laboratory. The results from the tests have been used to validate an existing TRNSYS model that has been modified for use with air as heat transfer fluid. The work has been conducted within the FP7 EU iNSPiRe project with the aim to develop a plug & play solar cooling and heating solution. (C) 2015 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.