Light sources selection for solar simulators: A review

Abstract

Solar energy has certain limitations such as seasonal variations, cloudy weather etc. Because of these limitations, it is very difficult to perform the experiments in Rainy and winters seasons. To tackle this problem, we have to use solar simulators. It is source of artificial lights, very much similar to concentrated sunlight. It can be analyzed that increased demand in manufacturing and development of solar simulators for testing and simulation of solar photovoltaic and solar thermal energy utilization. This paper reviews the solar simulator light sources for testing photovoltaic panels as well as for thermal applications. Light intensity, cost, durability and stability were included as a criterion for comparing solar spectrum with lamp wavelength spectrum. The classification of solar simulator depend on the light source application and their technological innovations were considered according to the literature. Also, carbon arc lamp, argon lamp, high pressure sodium lamps, quartz tungsten halogen lamp, mercury xenon lamps, xenon arc lamps, metal halide lamps, LEDs and super continuum laser are discussed in details. Also, multi light source solar simulator discussed as a separate topic.