450 - 1000 W Solar Simulators
  • Very high intensity sources closely match solar spectra
  • Run tests when you want to, without concern for weather conditions and time of day
  • Highly collimated, large area output beam (up to 12 x 12 inches)
  • Various beam configurations are possible
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DescriptionSpecifications Models Catalog PDF
1000 W Solar Simulator


Fig. 1 Spectral output of full spectrum kW Solar Simulator compared to the output of a kW UV Solar Simulator.


Fig. 2 Spectral output of 91292 UV Solar Simulator with various bandpass filters.

Full Spectrum Solar Simulators

Simulate hours of solar radiation in minutes with our 450 - 1000 W Solar Simulators. We offer models with uniform, collimated output beams in sizes from 2x2 to 8x8 inches, and a diverging beam model, which produces a diverging output beam up to 12 x 12 inches.

We offer two families of simulators. The Full Spectrum models, when used with air mass and/or bandpass filters, simulate a variety of solar spectra. The UV Solar Simulators closely match the UV portion of the solar spectrum, with little VIS and IR.

Fig. 1 shows the spectral output of these simulators compared to the UV models. When used with our easily interchangeable air mass filters, these sources simulate a variety of solar spectra. Tables 1 and 2 show the typical output of these simulators, in the design-irradiated plane. In addition to the collimated beam sizes offered, we also have a Full Spectrum Solar Simulator with diverging beam. This source, model 91190, produces a diverging output beam up to 12 x 12 inches. Table 3 shows the size of the output beam, at specific work plane distances. In place of the collimating lens, the 91190 Simulator has a window.

Table 1 Typical Output of 1000 W Full Spectrum Solar Simulators
 With This Optional Air Mass Filter  Typical Output (W m-2)
 2 x 2 Inch  4 x 4 Inch  6 x 6 Inch  8 x 8 Inch
 250 - 2500 nm  250 - 1100 nm  250 - 2500 nm  250 - 1100 nm  250 - 2500 nm  250 - 1100 nm  250 - 2500 nm  250 - 1100 nm
 AM 1 Direct  11475  8160  3060  2175  1400  1000  850  600
 AM 1.5 Direct  10360  7350  2765  1960  1270  900  760  540
 AM 2 Direct  9750  6800  2600  1820  1200  840  720  500
 AM 1.5 Global  7150  6110  1910  1630  875  750  525  450
 AM 0  13406  9800  3575  2640  1640  1200  980  715
 Unfiltered Irradiance  17120  13700  4565  3650  2100  1680  1250  1000


Table 2 Typical Output of Diverging Beam Full Spectrum Solar Simulator
 With This Air Mass Filter  Typical Output (W m-2)
 4 x 4 Inch
250-2500 nm		  6 x 6 Inch
250-2500 nm		  8 x 8 Inch
250-2500 nm		  10 x 10 Inch
250-2500 nm
 AM 1 Direct  2300  770  520  340
 AM 1.5 Direct  2100  700  460  310
 AM 2 Direct  1980  660  440  290
 AM 1.5 Global  1450  480  320  210
 AM 0  2700  900  600  390
 Unfiltered Irradiance  2400  1155  760  500


Table 3 Beam Sizes for 91190 Diverging Beam Solar Simulator
 For This Beam Size  This Work Plane Distance is Required*
 4 x 4 in (102 x 102 mm)  3 in. (76 mm)
 6 x 6 (152 x 152 mm)  7 in. (178 mm)
 8 x 8 (203 x 203 mm)  12 in. (305 mm)
 10 x 10 (254 x 254 mm)  17 in. (432 mm)

*Work plane distance is defined as the distance from output window to target plane

UV Solar Simulators

If you need a very high intensity UV source that closely matches the ultraviolet portion of the solar spectrum, with little VIS and IR, you want to consider our kW UV Solar Simulators. These sources use a dichroic mirror, which reflects 280 to 400 nm and minimizes the VIS to IR. Table 4 shows the typical output (W m-2) of the 91291, 2x2 Inch UV Solar Simulator.

Table 4 Typical Output of 91291 UV Solar Simulator
 With These Optional UV Filters  Typical Output (W m-2)
 UVC, Below 280 nm  UVB, 280 - 320 nm  UVA, 320 - 400 nm
 Atmospheric Attenuation Filter  0  37  800
 Atmospheric Attenuation Filter + VIS-IR Bandpass Blocking Filter  0  31  508
 UVC Blocking Filter  0  109  818
 UVB/C Blocking Filter  0  0.33  643
 Unfiltered Irradiance  54  284  885


What Makes Up a Solar Simulator?

The Illuminator Housing

The illuminator housing holds the arc lamp, arc lamp ignitor, optical integrator, collimating optics, light shutter, and light shutter power supply. It is equipped with a safety interlock and a thermal interlock system to ensure operator and system safety. An integral fan and filter blower provides forced air-cooling to ensure optimal lamp, optics and housing temperature.

450 W or 1000 W Xenon Arc Lamp

Both families of the Solar Simulators use an ozone free lamp, which has negligible output below 260 nm. If you need the deep UV wavelengths, choose the 6269 UV Enhanced Lamp. Notify us at the time of purchase, if you’d like to substitute the 6269 Lamp for the 6271Ozone Free Model.

Power Supply

The highly regulated power supply provides constant electrical power to the xenon lamp. A convenient preview feature enables you to set the lamp power prior to ignition. This reduces set up time, since there is no need to wait through the lamp's warm-up period to establish the operating power.

UVB/UVA Dichroic Mirror (For UV Solar Simulators Only)

For the UV Solar Simulators we replace the aluminized mirror with a dichroic, which passes 280 to 400 nm and greatly reduces the VIS and IR. You can use UV blocking filters after the dichroic, such as the 81017 Atmospheric Attenuation Filter, which simulates the UV edge of the sun.

Manual or Automated Exposure Control

Our Solar Simulators include an electronic splitblade shutter. You can externally control this shutter from the Digital Control Panel on the illuminator housing, or via a hand held switch, contact closure, or logic level input. For automated exposure control, order the 68945 Digital Timer.

Extended Care Plan

Extend the standard one-year warranty on these Solar Simulators by an additional year, with our Extended Care Program. Please ask a Sales Engineer about this plan when placing your order.

Certification

These systems meet Class B IEC 904-9 requirements, but do not come certified.

Safety Considerations

These illuminators produce very high intensity ultraviolet radiation. Exposure to intense UV radiation, even for very short periods of time, can cause severe burns to the eyes and skin. A face shield, gloves and protectiveclothing must be worn at all times during operation.