Summary. Artificial neural networks (ANN) are widely accepted as a technology offering an alternative way to tackle complex and ill-defined problems. The advantages of this approach compared to the classical algorithmic methods are the speed, the simplicity, and the capacity of the network to learn from examples. The objective of this work is to examine the possibility to use ANN in the solar air heaters. The principles of the neural technique are presented. From the diagnostics of some solar air heaters design, it appears that: (i) the input data are the meteorological data, time of the day, time of the year, inlet temperature and mass flow rate; (ii) the output data are useful energy, outlet temperature, overall heat loss, removal factor, instantaneous and daily efficiencies. The result of this analysis shows that ANN technology may be used in the solar air heaters if the activation function is well chosen and the training from examples is well done.

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(*) Prof. Réné TCHINDA: In 1993, he obtained his "Doctorat 3eme Cycle" at University of Yaoundé I. In 2003, he was awarded the "Doctorat D'Etat" at University of Yaoundé I. He teaches and does his research at the University Institute of Technology Fotso Victor, Department of Basic sciences, University of Dschang, Cameroon. Professor Tchinda is the head of the Energy and Environment group. His special interests are:

o Renewable Energy (Solar Thermal conversion, solar potential, Wind
o Potential, Hybrid system (Solar thermal/photovoltaic, Solar/Wind)
o Heat and mass transfer in porous medium with application in Building, and more recently in Artificial Neural Network Models.

He is member of several research and Development Associations. He was appointed Deputy Director in Charge of Partnership, Continuing Education and Cooperation with industry in the University Institute of Technology Fotso Victor since 1999. He's also a member of several committees in the Minister of higher Education in Cameroon.

Professor Tchinda is supervising several doctorate and Master Theses in Renewable Energy and in Heat and mass transfer in porous media. He has participated in numerous national and international events and has published many papers in international journals. At present he is one of the Regular Associate Members at ICTP.