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Product Code G2009B1
Price £2,000 ex. VAT

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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.


Ossila Solar Simulator lab setup for solar cell testing

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.


Two-Year Warranty

Two-Year Warranty

Covered by the Ossila Warranty

Long Lifetime

Long Lifetime

10,000 operating hours

Minimal Warm-up Time

Minimal Warm-up Time

Ready to use and measure

Cheap-to-Run

Cheap-to-Run

Highly efficient LED bulb

Spectral Tunability

Spectral Tunability

Tune with powerful software

Compact Size

Compact Size

Portable and modular design

Zero Maintenance

Zero Maintenance

No high maintenance fee

No Explosion Risk

No Explosion Risk

LED-based, steady state

Ossila Solar Simulator Product Overview

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.

 

More Solar Simulator Features

  • Lightweight body: 600 g (1.32 lbs)
  • Head dimensions (L x W x H): 10.5 cm x 9.0 cm x 8.0 cm (4.13" x 3.54" x 3.15")
  • Easy-to-use software that comes free with the Ossila Solar Simulator
  • Adjustable Head Height

More information available in specifications tab.

Included with the Solar Simulator

There are plenty of fun things you get with the solar simulator

Solar Cell Testing Kit

Solar Simulator Test System Bundle
  • Unbeatable Value
  • Easy Cell Characterization
  • Intuitive Software

Worldwide Shipping £3800

Key Features

Wide UV-Vis-NIR spectral range

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.

Wide UV-Vis-NIR spectral range

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.

Wide UV-Vis-NIR spectral range

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).

Wide UV-Vis-NIR spectral range

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.

Click to view an example performance report

Solar Simulator Gallery


Manual solar simulator in use Solar Simulator solar cell testing board

 

Ossila Solar Simulator Assembling Solar Simulator Ossila Solar Simulator

Resources and Support

The AM1.5 Spectrum The AM1.5 Spectrum

Solar irradiance varies depending on where you are in the world. This is because of a combination of local atmospheric conditions and geometric considerations.

Read more...
The Solar Spectrum 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...
Radiometry and Photometry Radiometry and Photometry

Light can be measured either photometrically (only light visible to the human eye is considered) or radiometrically (also considers the energy in the invisible parts of the electromagnetic spectrum).

Read more...
Solar Simulator Design, Working Principles & Optics Solar Simulator Design, Working Principles & Optics

A solar simulator has several components that help to simulate the solar spectrum uniformly for a defined test area. The most important part of the several components is the light source, however the other components ensure the light source outputs the solar spectrum correctly.

Read more...
How to Set Up a Solar Simulator Light Source How to Set Up a Solar Simulator Light Source

The solar simulator light source is compact, lightweight and can be easily installed in any lab using adjustable height stand provided with it.

Read more...
Automated Solar Simulator Assembly Automated Solar Simulator Assembly

This system was designed to be easy to use, and effortless to assemble. This video and subsequent guide will demonstrate how easy setting up your testing lab can be with the Ossila Automated Solar Cell Testing Kit.

Read more...
How to Check Solar Simulator Calibration How to Check Solar Simulator Calibration

It is important to ensure that your solar simulator is outputting a consistent spectral output. Different solar simulators will have different bulb lifetimes.

Read more...
Solar Simulator Classification and Calibration Solar Simulator Classification and Calibration

Solar simulators must be evaluated according to one of the three standards, and comply with the specifications set out within.

Read more...
Solar Simulator Irradiance and Spectral Mismatch Solar Simulator Irradiance and Spectral Mismatch

Solar simulators generally attempt to replicate the standard AM1.5G spectrum which has a total integrated irradiance of 1000.4 W/m2 over the wavelength range of 280 nm – 4000 nm.

Read more...
Solar Cell Testing & Characterization Solar Cell Testing & Characterization

One main application of solar simulators is to test solar cell devices and modules. To characterize how solar cells will perform in the real world, it is vital that you use a solar source that mimics the suns spectrum well. You could of course use actual sunlight, but this is an uncontrollable variable.

Read more...
Measuring J-V Curves with Ossila Solar Cell Testing Equipment Measuring J-V Curves with Ossila Solar Cell Testing Equipment

When it comes to testing the performance of solar cells, accurate measurements and reliable equipment are essential. If you are conducting research into PV materials, understanding how to measure and interpret J-V curves is crucial in assessing device performance.

Read more...
Analyzing and Improving Low Device Metrics: FF, VOC and JSC 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...
Solar Simulator Light Sources Solar Simulator Light Sources

Choosing the right light source for your solar simulator is one the most important decisions to make when setting up a PV testing laboratory.

Read more...

Technical Specifications

General 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)
Solar Simulator Classification
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:

  1. Spectral match to a standardized solar spectrum
  2. Spatial Non-uniformity
  3. 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

 

Spectral irradiance graph
Spectral irradiance graph measured at 1000 W/m2 (1 Sun)

 

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.

 

Spectral irradiance graph
Spectral irradiance graph measured at 0.7 Suns

 

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.

 

Spectral irradiance classification
Spectral irradiance classification graph

 

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.

 

Spectral non-uniformity graph
Spatial Uniformity

 

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.

 

Spectral irradiance graph
Temporal Stability

 

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.

Solar Simulator Console software
Solar Simulator Console software

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

Software Requirements

Operating System Windows 10 or 11 (64-bit)
CPU Dual Core 2 GHz
RAM 4 GB
Available Hard Drive Space 142 MB
Monitor Resolution 1440 x 960
Connectivity USB
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