Solar Simulator
All Measurement Equipment, Lab Equipment, Price Reductions and Sales, Solar Simulators
Reliable and intuitive PC software, designed to help speed up your research, is provided at no extra cost. The latest versions are always available to download via our website.
Ossila Solar Simulator Console 1.4.1
The latest version of the control software for the Solar Simulator. Click here to read the End-User License Agreement.
Download (56 MB)
Minimum System Requirements
Operating System Windows 10 or 11 (64-bit)
CPU Dual Core 2 GHz
RAM 4 GB
Available Drive Space 147 MB
Monitor Resolution 1440 x 960
Connectivity USB 2.0
Discover the Class AAA Solar Simulator for Small-Area Solar Cells
Reliable LED light source for fast and consistent solar cell testing at an excellent price.
Overview | Specifications | Gallery | Software | In the Box | Accessories | Resources and Support
Compact and low price, the Ossila Solar Simulator is ideal for characterizing small-area solar cells, providing:
- Excellent AAA spectral distribution over a 15 mm diameter area
- ABA classification over a 25 mm diameter area (IEC 60904-9:2020 International Standard)
- Stable and reliable output, easily achieving Class A temporal stability
- Requires zero maintenance and minimal warm up time.
Just plug it in, turn it on, and start measuring.
You can buy on its own to be easily integrated into your solar cell testing lab - or as part of our solar cell I-V test systems (available as a solar cell testing kit) to equip your laboratory with a fully integrated PV characterization system.
Long Lifetime
10,000 operating hours
Minimal Warm-up Time
Ready to use and measure
Cheap-to-Run
Highly efficient LED bulb
Spectral Tunability
Tune with powerful software
Compact Size
Portable and modular design
Zero Maintenance
No high maintenance fee
No Explosion Risk
LED-based, steady state
Why Should You Buy the Ossila Solar Simulator?
The Ossila Solar Simulator offers great value and excellent quality. To achieve this, we use an array of powerful LEDs to accurately simulate the AM1.5G spectrum over a wavelength of 350 – 1050 nm. Furthermore, through our free, downloadable software, you have the ability to control the intensity of each individual LED. This gives you maximum control over the output of your solar simulator lamp.
Solar Simulator Specification
| Type | LED-Based, Steady State |
|---|---|
| Spectral deviation | <70% |
| Spectral coverage | >80% |
| Working distance | 8.5 cm (3.35") |
| Irradiance (at working distance) | 1000 W/m2 |
| Maximum Lamp Time | 10000 hours |
| Dimensions (head only) L x W x H | 10.5 cm x 9.0 cm x 8.0 cm (4.13" x 3.54" x 3.15") |
| Weight | 600 g (1.32 lbs) |
| Spectral match | A |
|---|---|
| Spatial uniformity over 15 mm diameter area | A |
| Spatial uniformity over 25 mm diameter area | B |
| Spatial uniformity over 32 mm diameter area | C |
| Temporal instability | A |
How are Solar Simulators Classified?
There are several different recognized standards for classifying solar simulators, each of which is published by a different standards organization (IEC, ATSM, or JIS). Although there are slight differences between the standards, they all classify solar simulators based upon their performance in three key areas. These areas are:
- Spectral match to a standardized solar spectrum
- Spatial Non-uniformity
- Temporal instability
Solar simulators receive a grade A to C in each of these areas. The better the performance, the higher the rating. The latest IEC 60904-9:2020 standard, and the one which we follow, also allows for an A+ classification in each field.
Spectral Irradiance Graphs
The programmed spectral irradiance of the Ossila Solar Simulator is shown in the graph above. The Ossila light source is initially calibrated so that it emits a total integrated power of 100 mW/cm2 (1 Sun) over the wavelength range 350 nm – 1000 nm. The Ossila Solar Simulator achieves a Class A rating for each wavelength range defined by solar simulator standard guidelines. This calibrated Class AAA spectrum is emitted only a few seconds after powering up.
The Ossila Solar Simulator also allows you to adapt the output spectrum of your lamp as you desire. The above graph shows a spectral distribution at 0.7 Suns to demonstrate AM1.5G spectral match more clearly to the AM1.5G spectrum. Whether you value spectral match or total power irradiance, the Ossila Solar Simulator can adapt to meet your needs. For more information on how we present our solar simulator spectral data here, read our guide on interpreting spectral irradiance graphs.
Spectral Irradiance
The spectral match classification measures how well a solar simulator replicates the solar spectrum in terms of wavelength distribution. At 1 Sun irradiance at 8.5 cm, the Ossila Solar Simulator achieves Class A output in all wavelength categories. At this irradiance, the Ossila Solar Simulator achieves a Class A classification for spectral irradiance.
Spatial Uniformity
Solar simulators aim to distribute light uniformly across a sample, replicating sunlight. The spatial uniformity rating gives a measure of how uniform a solar simulator's distribution is.
At the working distance of 8.5 cm and output power of 1 sun, the Ossila Solar Simulator achieves a spatial non-uniformity class A rating over a 15 mm diameter, making it ideal for testing small area devices. It also achieves a class B rating over 25 mm diameter, and a class C rating at 32 mm diameter, so you also can test larger cells with the Ossila solar simulator with ABA or ACA classification.
Temporal instability
The temporal instability classification measures the output consistency of a solar simulator.
The temporal instability graph proves that the light output from the solar simulator is stable over a long time frame, so it achieves a Class A Temporal Instability classification. This means you can conduct long-term experiments with the Ossila Solar Simulator without worrying about spectral fluctuation. This includes measurement such as solar cell lifetime measurements or experiments to measure light degradation effects.
Solar Simulator Features
LED Lamp
The Ossila Solar Simulator uses light-emitting diodes to generate its light output. The advantages of LEDs over arc-lamp or incandescent alternatives include:
- High efficiency
- Long operating lifetime
- High temporal stability
- Zero maintenance
- Spectral tunability
- Virtually zero warm-up time
- Ozone-free
- No explosion risk
These many advantages of LED light sources result in a solar simulator that can reliably and accurately reproduce the solar spectrum.
Modular Design
The modular design of the Ossila Solar Simulator gives you the freedom to create a solar testing system that fits into your laboratory. There are various accessories and kits designed around the solar simulator, to suit different substrates, device architecture and measurement needs.
This includes the Ossila Solar Simulator Lamp alone for custom mounting, the height adjustable system for use with your existing test setup and the Solar Simulator packaged with our manual/automated solar cell IV test system for complete solar cell measurement.
Easy-to-Use Software
There is no special programming or set up needed for the Ossila Solar Simulator to deliver dependable, high-quality solar irradiance. In most cases, all you need to do is plug it in and turn it on. By default, the lamp will deliver a calibrated output optimized to meet the solar spectrum.
However, our free, downloadable software allows you to control the LED outputs individually as well as change the total irradiance output. You can also control the lamp using a serial command library. This can be useful for specialist measurements or non-conventional spectral output (e.g. indoor PV measurement, low light intensity conditions, etc).
Compact Design, Adaptable Functionality
The Ossila solar simulator has a very small footprint, so is perfect for high-density laboratories. It can also be used in closer spaces where space is limited, such as a glove box*, a dry box or in a laminar flow hood.
The Solar Simulator comes with its own optical breadboard, so it can be placed on any work top. However, both the stand and breadboard can be fixed to a larger optical bench surface if desired.
* Not for use in volatile environments.
High Specification
The Ossila Solar Simulator is AAA rated for small area devices, which is ideal if you already use our 20 mm x 15 mm substrates. The Ossila Solar Simulator also delivers class ABA illumination over a larger area (25mm diameter). This is suitable for testing large area devices which can be made on our 25 mm x 25 mm substrate systems. We individually calibrate each system with a NIST traceable photo radiometer and include a performance report with each unit. Click on the image below to download a sample report.
Solar Simulator Gallery
Software
The Ossila Solar Simulator Console enables you to control and customize the output of the Ossila Solar Simulator. You can choose the overall power level or control each LED in the Solar Simulator individually to tailor the output to your specific requirements.
Software Key Features
Intuitively-designed user interface
The software is designed to be simple and easy-to-use, no hidden menus or settings
Customize your light
Choose a predefined total output power or change each LED individually
No programming required
Just connect a Solar Simulator and start the software, no programming knowledge needed
Completely free
Install the software on as many PCs as you want and download future updates for free
Included with the Ossila Solar Simulator
- LED Solar Simulator
- Optical Breadboard
- Adjustable Height Stand
- Solar Simulator Console Software
Accessories and Related Products
Resources and Support
Analyzing and Improving Low Device Metrics: FF, VOC and JSC
Anaylzing key device metrics such as fill factor (FF), open-circuit voltage (VOC), and power conversion efficiency (PCE), can help you find potential issues with your solar cell devices
Read more...
The Solar Spectrum
The purpose of a solar simulator is to recreate the sunlight received on Earth. This is easier said than done as sunlight starts its journey in complex nuclear reactions in the sun's core, and is modified on it's journey to us through interactions with the Earth's atmosphere.
Read more...