Solar simulator

A solar simulator lamp has been designed to overcome the difficulties associated with the xenon high-pressure lamp in the simulation of the solar spectrum and intensity in the development of solar energy conversion technology. The 250-W lamp has a spectrum more similar to that of the sun as seen from the earth's surface than does a xenon lamp, with deviations mainly at wavelengths from 800-1000 nm, 530 nm and below 450 nm. This spectrum can be corrected by the use of an absorbing filter, a heat protection filter and an interference filter, which results in a spectrum which is a good approximation to the solar spectrum. A light intensity of 6250 lx has been measured at a distance of 20 cm from the lamp, which may be increased to the solar intensity by the use of a lens. The lamp may be operated on either alternating or direct current.