This　paper　proposes　a　new　type　of　a　flat-plate　solar　air　collector　(SAC)　with　micro-heat　pipe　arrays　(MHPA),　which　consist　of　a　heat　collection　and　transfer　section　and　an　air　ventilation　and　heat　exchange　section.　In　the　unique　structure,　the　heat　exchange　of　air　is　separated　from　heat　collection　and　transmission.　This　work　experimentally　and　theoretically　investigates　the　heat　transfer　and　friction　factor　characteristics　of　the　proposed　MHPA-flat　plate　solar　air　collector.　Numerical　simulation　and　experimental　results　are　compared　to　show　the　instantaneous　performance　of　the　collector　under　quasi-steady　state　conditions.　Efficiency,　time　constant,　inlet　temperature,　outlet　temperature,　absorber　temperature,　and　glass　cover　temperature　are　obtained.　The　effects　of　weather　condition,　and　operational　parameters　are　evaluated　on　the　basis　of　thermal　efficiency,　outlet　temperature,　heat　loss,　and　heat　transfer.　Results　reveal　that　the　average　efficiency　is　approximately　69%　at　a　flow　rate　of　290　m(3)/h.　In　the　testing　range　of　the　air　flow　rate,　the　frictional　coefficient　varies　from　0.05　to　0.18.　(C)　2017　Elsevier　Ltd.　All　rights　reserved.