Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews 77 (2017) 1240–1250

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Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews

journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/rser

Light sources of solar simulators for photovoltaic devices: A review MARK

a,⁎
Vedat Esen , Şafak Sağlam , Bülent Oral b b

a
Istanbul Arel University, Vocational School, Department of Electricity, Kemalpaşa Mahallesi, Halkalı Caddesi No: 101 Sefaköy, Küçükçekmece,34295
İstanbul, Turkey
b
Marmara University, Faculty of the Technology, Department of Electrical-Electronics Engineering, Göztepe Kampüsü Kadıköy, 34722 İstanbul, Turkey

A R T I C L E I N F O A BS T RAC T

Keywords: As solar power usage is increasing nowadays, performance tests have become one of the most important topics
Solar simulator in order to guarantee the security of photovoltaic tools. For photovoltaic panels to become efficient, there is need
Photovoltaic devices for health testing of all materials and technologies used in the production of the panels in electrical and optical
Light sources aspects. Thus, when future energy standards are considered, it is imperative to use solar simulators that obtain
Spectrum
near real sunlight spectrum values. The most important components of solar simulators used in photovoltaic
Wavelength
panel tests are light sources. In this study, solar simulators were classified based on the light sources they use,
and their history and technological development were investigated in line with the literature. Within the scope
of this study, carbon arc lamps, sodium vapor lamps, argon arc lamps, quartz-tungsten halogen lamps, mercury
xenon lamps, xenon arc, xenon flash lamps, metal halide lamps, LED and super continuum laser light sources
were investigated. Additionally, to compare spectral deficiency among these light sources and solar simulators,
multiple light sourced solar simulators were also covered under a separate title.

1. Introduction
Photovoltaic devices are non-linear energy sources with durable
and simple designs that require little maintenance and convert solar
radiation directly into electrical energy. It is very important that the
characteristic values of photovoltaic devices such as current-voltage (I-
V) curve, short circuit current (ISC), open circuit voltage (VOC) and
maximum power (PMAX) are determined under real atmospheric
conditions [1–4]. In order to evaluate their performances, photovoltaic
devices are rated under the so-called Standard Test Conditions (STC),
corresponding to an irradiance of 1000 W/m2, an AM (air mass) 1.5
spectrum and a device temperature of 25 °C [5]. I-V measurement is
carried out under natural sunlight in the outdoor environment or in a
closed laboratory environment with the help of a solar simulator [6].
The first option; is not preferable due to factors such as the intensity
and the spectral distribution of solar radiation, geographical location,
time, day of the year, climate conditions, composition of atmosphere,
variation in altitude and weather conditions [7]. Instead, the second
option is preferred for reasons such as simplicity, reproducibility and
reliability [6]. For this reason, solar simulators are an integral part of
current-voltage (I-V) characterization. This is because the I-V measure-
ment requires a calibrated source that corresponds to real daylight and
conditions that can be changed on demand to illuminate a photovoltaic
panel [8,9]. Solar simulators are tools that provide spectral and optical
composition similar to sunlight intensity. The fundamental aim of
these tools is to test solar cells and photovoltaic panels under
controlled laboratory conditions [10–14]. In today's world, as the
usage of renewable energy resources has been increasing it is important
for both photovoltaic tool producers and consumers that tests are
conducted, due to photovoltaic tools having low efficiency [15]. A solar
simulator mainly consists of three parts; light and power sources, an
optical filter to change beam properties in order to fulfill requirements,
and control elements to operate the simulator [1,16]. Carbon arc
lamps, sodium vapor lamps, argon arc lamps, quartz- tungsten halogen
lamps, mercury xenon lamps, xenon arc, xenon flash lamps, metal
halide lamps, LED and super continuum laser light sources are
investigated within the scope of the present study [11,17–22]. Xenon
arc lamps are the most commonly used light sources among conven-
tional solar simulators [22–24]. Since there are intensity and spectral
component differences between natural sunlight and artificial light,
xenon arc lamps are modified using filters to obtain the natural
sunlight spectrum [25]. Test standards for the terrestrial application
of photovoltaic panels have been presented in the research conducted
by ERDA and NASA. A report published after the studies conducted in
1975 and 1977, provided a detailed explanation of solar simulators as
well as the standard procedures for terrestrial photovoltaic measure-
ment [26–28]. In this report, intensity was selected as 1000 W/m2, AM
1.5 spectral component and 25 °C ambient temperature was chosen as
a STC, however, in today's commercial solar simulators both of these
are used as the ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials)

⁎
Corresponding author.

http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2017.03.062

Available online 29 March 2017

1364-0321/ © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
V. Esen et al.
Fig. 1. IEC 60904-9 Reference solar spectrum irradiance distribution [14].
standards [29,30]. Solar simulators mainly simulate natural sunlight in
two categories; space radiation and terrestrial radiation [31]. The
ASTM 927-05 [32], JIS (Japanese Industrial Standard) C 8912 [33]
and IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission) 60904-9 stan-
dards [34] for the solar simulation of terrestrial photovoltaic tests are
accepted to evaluate three criteria; spectral distribution of solar
simulator performance, spatial difference and temporal constancy
[35,36]. The number of solar beams that fall on the Earth's surface
depends on factors such as latitude, longitude, time of day and time of
year [31]. The spectral distribution of the Sun on the Earth's surface is
shown in Fig. 1 [14,37].
In the application the air mass for the photovoltaic panel test was
standardized as AM 0 (the Sun's radiation in Space), AM 1 D (Direct),
AM 1G (Global), AM 1.5 D, AM 1.5G, AM 2D and AM 2G [38,39].
According to Riordan and Hulstrom; air mass refers to the relative path
length of the direct solar beam through the Atmosphere. When the sun
is directly overhead (at zenith), the path length is 1.0 (AM 1.0). AM 1.0
is not synonymous with solar noon because the sun is usually not
directly overhead at solar noon in most seasons and locations. When
the angle of the Sun from zenith (i.e., the zenith angle, θ) increases, the
air mass increases (approximately by secθ) so that at about 48° from
the vertical the air mass is 1.5 and at 60° the air mass is 2.0 [8]. These
AM values are shown in Figs. 2 and 3.
International standard references for solar simulator illuminations
are stated below:
•
IEC 60904-9 Solar Simulator Performance Requirements [34]
Fig. 2. Schematic of AM 1.5 reference spectral conditions [8].
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Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews 77 (2017) 1240–1250
Fig. 3. Examples of other realistic atmospheric and air mass conditions compared to AM
1.5 (Fig. 2) [8].
• ASTM G173-03 Standard Tables for Reference Solar Spectral
Irradiances: Direct Normal and Hemispherical on 37° Tilted
Surface [40].
• ASTM E927-05 Standard Specification for Solar Simulation for
Terrestrial Photovoltaic Testing [32].
• ASTM E927-10 Standard specification for Solar Simulation for
Photovoltaic Testing [41].
• ASTM E948-16 Standard Test Method for Electrical Performance of
Photovoltaic Cells Using Reference Cells Under Simulated Sunlight
[42].
• ASTM E973-16 Standard Test Method for Determination of the
Spectral Mismatch Parameter between a Photovoltaic Device and a
Photovoltaic Reference Cell [43].
• JIS C 8912 Solar simulators for crystalline solar cells and modules
[33]
In academic and commercial research, solar simulators are de-
signed to comply with these solar spectrum standards. To achieve these
standards in general, light sources are selected and different light
sources are used depending on the purpose of use and the type of solar
simulator. In this study, designed and implemented solar simulators as
well as theoretical and practical applications were investigated. In
order to contribute to the literature on solar simulators and provide
reference for further studies, solar simulators are presented from a
different perspective according to used light sources.
2. Solar simulator classes for photovoltaic devices
According to ASTM E927 (Standard Specifications for Solar
Simulation for Terrestrial Photovoltaic Testing) and IEC 60904-9,
simulation performances of solar simulators are defined under three
classes; Class A, Class B and Class C [44,45]. This classification
determines three main criteria; spectral match, spatial non-uniformity
of irradiance and temporal instability [11,46,47]. These criteria are
shown in Table 1 [14]. Under these criteria, the highest class is stated
as Class A and the lowest class is stated as Class C [11].
Spectral match is important to provide one to one correspondence
of real world situations and test conditions [45]. According to Mohan
et al.; spectral match (SM) is calculated as the ratio of the actual
percentage of irradiance falling on the interval of concern and the
required percentage of irradiance [20]. This calculation is shown in Eq.
(1)
V. Esen et al. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews 77 (2017) 1240–1250

Table 1 sources used today, since they are more advantageous in terms of cost,
Classifications of simulator performance [14]. compactness and power consumption [38]. Fig. 6 shows the light
sources and the years they started to be used.
PERFORMANCE PARAMETER STANDARTS ORGANIZATION

ASTM IEC 3.1. Carbon arc, high pressure sodium vapor and argon arc lamp

Spectral Match
Since the spectral structure of carbon arc lights is compatible with
Class A 0.75 − 1.25 0.75 − 1.25
Class B 0.6 − 1.4 0.6 − 1.4 AM0, they are used as a light source in space solar simulators and
Class C 0.4 − 2.0 0.4 − 2.0 multi-junction solar cell optimization rather than for terrestrial photo-
Spatial non-uniformity voltaic panel tests [55,56]. Accordingly, they are slightly compatible
Class A ≤ 3% ≤ 2% with the natural sunlight spectrum and their wavelength is weaker than
Class B ≤ 5% ≤ 5%
that of xenon lamps except between 320 nm and 339 nm [57,58]. Other
Class C ≤ 10% ≤ 10%
Temporal instability disadvantages of carbon arc lights can be stated as short operation
Class A ≤ 2% ≤ 2% time, instability during operation and extreme blue radiation that
Class B ≤ 5% ≤ 5% propagates carbon arc [17]. Since they are commonly used in space
Class C ≤ 10% ≤ 10%
solar simulations, it can be seen that carbon arc lamps were also used
in the first space simulation applications of NASA [59–61]. Fussell
Actual Irradiance in the interval stated that the technical report showed that the carbon arc lamp could
SM = be a good solar simulator [62]. The report by Ross and Bickler states
Required Irradiance in the interval (1)
that carbon arc lamps are a good choice for solar simulations but
Spatial non-uniformity (SNU) is the hardest property that mini- solutions should be found for the instability problem [63]. Mirtich used
mizes hot spots due to condensation of light in certain points, a carbon arc lamp in the solar simulator he used for the test he
especially in simulators with large surface areas, affecting cell perfor- performed. He emphasized that the spectrum of the lamp was
mance tests and the need for repetition.. SNU is calculated in which completely matched to the Johnston curve [64], but the performance
Emax is the maximum intensity on the given test section and Emin is of the simulator changed from time to time [65].
the minimum intensity on the given Eq. (2) [48]. High pressure sodium (HPS) vapor lamps developed by Louden and
E max − E min Schmidt in 1965 [66,67] are used as light sources in solar simulator
SNU = ×%100 designs and applications due to their high efficiency, long life cycle and
E max + E min (2)
wise spectral range (250–2500 nm) [31,68–71]. According to Grish
Temporal instability determines light amplitude as it does not affect [72] the spectral irradiance of sodium vapor lamps mainly lies around
solar cell measurements [45,46]. According to Bazzi et al.; the temporal the yellow region of the visible spectrum. This yellow region is called D-
instability of irradiance is calculated in a manner similar to SNU but Line and corresponds to a wavelength of about 586 nm [66,73].
with E measured at a particular point on the test plane during the time Although HPS vapor lamps are widely used in practice, the lamps are
interval of data acquisition. In Table 2, different AM factor classifica- comparatively expensive and require auxiliary electronic devices to
tions are provided for wavelength intervals [48]. regulate lamp power [74].
Besides carbon arc lamps, argon arc lamps were also used in the
3. Light sources of solar simulators for photovoltaic devices first solar simulation studies. In 1972 Decker stated that argon arc
lamps were a suitable light source for simulations with high uniformity,
Light source selection is the most important part of solar simulator stability of irradiance, clean operating characteristics for a 400 kW
design for the simulation of sunlight and its intensity, and spectral argon arc lamp used for solar simulations. However, the simplification
properties of light source, illumination pattern, collimation, light flow of maintenance also emphasized that lifetime and reliability should be
stability and light range should be taken into account for the selection increased [75]. Argon arc lamps have a 6500 K color heat emission
[49]. In solar simulator applications, different light sources are used to spectrum with a 275–1525 spectral interval [76]. In the 75 kW High-
simulate sunlight according to the ASTM standards [1]. Classification Flux Solar Simulator study by Hirsch et al. [77] in Zürich in 2003, a
of light sources of solar simulators can be seen in Fig. 4 high pressured (7 atm) closed argon arc lamp was used as the light
[16,22,23,31,37,44]. In Fig. 5, the wave length of light sources is source. In general, arc lamps provide additional power in visible,
given. [31,50–54]. infrared and ultraviolet wavelengths and have outputs similar to real
The most commonly used light sources are short arc and long arc solar radiation with optic fibers developed in AM 0 and AM 1.5
xenon lamps. In some simulator designs, metal halide arc lamps, standards [78].
carbon arc lights and quartz tungsten halogen lamps are selected as
light sources [39]. LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes) are more often 3.2. Quartz tungsten halogen lamp
preferred as light sources in research compared to the traditional light
Halogen lamp solar simulation applications are preferred due to
Table 2 high light intensity, low cost, usability and the spectral interval that is
Distribution of irradiance performance requirements [48]. near natural sunlight [79,80]. In a solar powered four piston Stirling
PERCENTAGE OF TOTAL IRRADIANCE
engine application, Kongtragool et al. [81] used 4 units has 1000 W
halogen lamps in solar simulators. In the tests, conducted under 4
WAVELENGTH (nm) AM1.5D AM1.5 G AM0 different light intensities, as the light intensity increased, the efficiency
of the motor also increased and the desired efficiency was obtained
300 − 400 Not Specified Not Specified 8.0%
400 − 500 16.9% 18.4% 16.4%
from the solar simulator. Solar simulators designed by Landrock et al.
500 − 600 19.7% 19.9% 16.3% [82] as an alternative to high cost solar simulators, provided light
600 − 700 18.5% 18.4% 13.9% source with 6 units 50 W halogen lamps. Landrock noted that they
700 − 800 15.2% 14.9% 11.2% could be an alternative to costly test systems for solar simulators that
800 − 900 12.9% 12.5% 9.0%
they developed with materials that could be conveniently found on the
900 − 1100 16.8% 15.9% 13.1%
1100 −1400 Not Specified Not Specified 12.2% market and used tungsten halogen lamps as light sources. Although
they are not a complete alternative to standard solar simulators, they

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V. Esen et al.
Fig. 4. Light sources of solar simulators for photovoltaic devices.
Fig. 5. Wavelength range of light sources.
are still very useful for photovoltaic devices in the prototype. Aksoy
et al. [83] conducted studies regarding the thermal performance of a
motor, using solar simulation with a halogen lamp as the light source.
In this study, in which 400 W and 1000 W halogen lamps were used, it
was observed that the maximum power of the motor and the torque
increased as the light intensity increased. Jackson et al. used a 300 W,
3400 K color temperature halogen lamp in their portable solar
simulator design. In this study, they added a blue filter to the light
source to reach 5400 K, which is closer to the true solar color
temperature [84]. Kamprachum et al. tested the photovoltaic proper-
ties of multi-stacked InAs/GaAs quantum dot structures with tungsten
halogen lamps and obtained healthy results [85]. King et al. tested the
performance of monolithic multi-junction solar cells with a quartz-
tungsten halogen lamp [86]. Fig. 7 shows halogen lamp light source
solar simulator (a) and a halogen lamp example (b) [80] from Hussain
et al. [87] in 2011.
3.3. Mercury xenon lamp
Mercury xenon (Hg-Xe) lamps are light sources that combine the
ultraviolet (UV) spectrum of mercury vapor lamps and the IR spectrum
of xenon lamps [88]. Due to this combination, mercury xenon lamps
have the properties of both xenon arc lamps and high pressured
mercury lamps. Mercury xenon lamps are efficient UV light sources
that can provide sharp and intense UV spectrums up to wavelengths
shorter than 400 nm [51,89]. Mercury xenon lamps were commonly
used in the first solar simulator designs [90]. Although they are used as
a light source in specific applications [91], they have been replaced by
xenon arc lamps in solar simulator designs [26].
Fig. 6. Historical development of solar simulator light sources.
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Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews 77 (2017) 1240–1250
3.4. Xenon arc and flash lamp
As xenon arc lamps have advantages such as matching sunlight with
high light intensity and spectrum, they are commonly used in conven-
tional solar simulators as light sources [24,39,92–101]. High power
consumption, the need for constant maintenance and a short life cycle
are some of the disadvantages of xenon arc lamps [102,103]. It is
known that xenon arc lamps were used in solar simulators for the first
time in 1961 by Tenny Engineering Inc. [104]. In general, due to their
balanced spectral properties, xenon arc lamps provide continuity from
UV to visible light. Even though they create a strong radiation between
800 and 1000 nm, the radiation can be filtered using glass filters.
Another advantage of xenon arc lamps is that no significant spectral
balance shift occurs due to the differences in power. This decreases the
need for stability in the power source [17,21,26].
Additionally, high pressure short xenon lights have brighter point
resources compared to other light sources [105]. Ito et al. used xenon
arc lamps with a proper filter in solar simulator calibration studies for
sensitive paint solar cells in 2004 [106]. In a 50 kW solar simulator
study by Petrasch et al. [78] and in a 42 kW solar simulator study by Li
et al. [107,108] xenon arc lamps were used with ellipsoidal reflectors.
In some experimental studies, it can be seen that Spectrolab X-25 solar
simulators are used with xenon arc lamp as light sources [109–114]. In
the closed and open area tests of intensifying photovoltaic cells and
high intensity drilled solar simulator characterization using wide range
drilled solar simulator studies by Pravettoni et al. [115,116], solar
simulators of Global Photovoltaic Specialists Inc. (GPS and GPS-U)
that have xenon arc lamps as light resources were used. In the studies
by Sarwar et al. [21], with “Xenoluxe lamps” which were used in
commercial movie projectors, it was realized. 7 kW high light flow solar
simulators. For high temperature thermal requirements in thermo-
chemical and intensified photovoltaic systems, flow matching method
is used. Xenon arc lamps were used as the light source in a study on
brightness emission of multi-junction InGaP/InGaAs/Ge PV cells
under high radiation by Paraskeva et al. [117], in a study on achromatic
fresnel couple production for achieving high intensity in solar concen-
tration by Languy et al. [118], in a study by Hu et al. [119] on the
capacity effect of reflection type single long-pulse solar simulation and
in a study on in a simplified resource model for 54 kW solar simulator
by Guo et al. [120]. In these studies where xenon arc lamps were used,
researchers obtained Class A values at high effiency and standard test
conditions. Fig. 8 shows the schematic representation of commercial
solar simulators that use xenon arc lamp (a) and the xenon arc lamp
used (b) [13,78].
V. Esen et al. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews 77 (2017) 1240–1250

Fig. 7. Halogen lamp light resource solar simulator (a) and halogen lamp example (b) [80,87].

In certain cases, xenon flash lamps are preferred in solar simulators

instead of xenon arc lamps [121]. The receiver's radiation level can be
adjusted to 800–1000 W/m2 (direct normal radiation) levels as
standard. Commercial xenon flash lamps and generators enable
triggering in different voltages. Higher triggering voltage means higher
peak power value. In multiple flash systems, radiation delay is used for
adjusting power levels [122]. A different I-V characteristic is recorded
when xenon flash lamps trigger the receiver for illumination and at
each different voltage value when it produces a flash pulse [123].
Xenon flash lamps were used in the studies conducted by Dominguez
et al. [122,123] on the solar simulators designed for the characteriza-
tion of high intensity PV modules in closed wide areas and on the solar
simulators designed for intensifying photovoltaic system, in the study Fig. 9. A 10 kW xenon lamp [127].
by Keogh et al. [124] on the flash test conducted to obtain I-V
characteristic of solar cells, in the study titled “Innovative system for Atlas 1200 solar. In the study on a solar simulator with dimensions of
energy collection and management integrated within photovoltaic 5258 mm x 2617 mm x 2810 mm (height x width x depth) designed by
module” by Grzesiak [125], and in the study by Osterwald et al. Zacharopoulos et al. [131] which took around 17 months to complete,
[94,126] on the error correction of efficiency measurement of multi- 35 (7×5) Osram HMP 575 W metal halide lamps were selected as the
junction PV cells and error reasons. In these studies, where xenon light source. In the study on dynamic network based analysis of
flashlights were used, the researchers obtained the Class A simulation dynamic radiated solar simulators by Meng et al. [31], the design
values they were targeting. Fig. 9 [127] shows an example of a 10 kW was made with 188 metal halide lamps. Metal halide lamps were also
xenon lamp. used in the studies conducted by Pernpeintner et al. [132], Kim et al.
[133], Bigaila et al. [134], Guarino et al. [135], Chen et al.[136],
3.5. Metal halide lamp Schiavon et al. [137], Paul et al. [138], Sabahi et al. [139] and Yang
et al. [140]. Fig. 10 demonstrates a solar simulator with 35 metal halide
Metal halide lamps are commonly used in industrial illumination lamps placed in an aluminium box (a) and an Osram HMP 575 W
and they are selected as light sources in solar simulators instead of metal halide lamp (b) [131].
xenon lights have high power consumption, high electronic driver costs
and short life cycles [37,128,129]. In the low cost and high light flow 3.6. LED (Light Emitting Diode)
solar simulator design by Codd et al. [128], seven 1500 W metal halide
lamps were used and radiation corresponding to 5% of terrestrial Compared to the traditional light sources used in research today,
sunlight between 800 and 1000 nm was obtained. In the correct LEDs are being used as light sources since LEDs have advantages such
characterization of organic photovoltaic panels study by Gevorgyan as low cost, compactness and lower power consumption [103,141–
et al. [130], a metal halide lamp was used as the light source for the 148]. LED light source solar simulators can simulate the AM 1.5

Fig. 8. Xenon arc solar simulator (a) Schematic representation of xenon arc lamp (b) [13,78].

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V. Esen et al. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews 77 (2017) 1240–1250

Fig. 10. Metal halide light sourced solar simulation example (a) and metal halide lamp (b) [131].

Fig. 12. LED solar simulator [158].

Fig. 11. Fabrication LED solar simulator example [103].

are compatible with the AM 1.5 standards within microseconds, they
are cost efficient, their life cycle is long and calibration is easy, thus
spectrum with a Class A spectral fit at a wavelength range of 350 nm-
they are strong candidates for light sources in solar simulators in future
1100 nm. LED solar simulators deliver high performance in power
applications. Tsuno et al. [157] brought a new approach to the
consumption in steady and pulsed mode [50,149]. LED solar simula-
capabilities of LEDs in solar simulators and showed that in comparison
tors have high quality character as well as very different optical
to conventional light sources, LEDs are more efficient, they are brighter
characteristics in comparison with standard light sources [150,151].
light sources, they have long life cycle and their costs are decreasing
Another advantage of LED solar simulators is that they can be
every day. Bliss et al. [158] worked on changing spectrum and flash
accurately controlled and offset the output density in less than a
speed LED-based photovoltaic measurement systems and established
millisecond (typically a few microseconds). The possibility of stabilizing
that LED simulator in stationary situations can conduct flexible
the operating parameters of the LED opens up new ways of determin-
controls on multiple flash tests. The LED solar simulator designed by
ing the short- and long-term effects on the solar cells tested using the
Bliss et al. is shown in Fig. 12 [158]. Jang et al. [103] stated that LED
same solar simulator. [152–154]. In Fig. 11 [103], a LED solar
solar simulators are valid for solar cell characterization and achieved
simulation example can be seen. LEDs were first used as light sources
LED solar simulator thermal optimization. Krebs et al. [159] estab-
in solar simulations in the studies by Kohraku et al. [155] in 2003.
lished a LED- based solar simulator application which can calibrate
Kohraku et al. [155] worked on new measurement methods in solar
itself with lamps that have adjustable geometric shapes. Kolberg et al.
cells with LED solar simulators and tried to estimate spectral reactions
[121] conducted a study on matching expanded UV and infrared (IR)
with different and multiple LEDs. In another study conducted by
spectral values with the AM 1.5 standards in LED solar simulators.
Kohraku et al. [15], 4-color LEDs were used for solar cell measure-
Meng et al. [31] worked on the high values of LED solar simulator
ments in the solar simulator they designed, where they stated that I-V
radiation characteristics and optimization, and they gained tangible
characteristic measurements of solar cells were significant under the
results in hexagonally designed light source placement. Kolberg et al.
AM 1.5 spectrum and LED simulators could be developed and used in
[160] improved the previous work, increased LED effectiveness in solar
future applications. Bliss et al. [156] investigated the advantages of
simulators and obtained measurements close to real sunlight values. In
LED usage in the characteristic measurements of photovoltaic solar
this study, spectral values of LED-based solar simulators were adjusted
panels and they stated that LEDs can control the spectral values that
and values close to the solar spectrum were obtained. Plyta et al. [161]

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investigated the LED solar simulator potential and first stated that LED
light source had strong optic light collection efficiency and took the
collimation to the highest level; and secondly, LED wavelengths were
appropriate for an Class A simulator and the distribution of light was
adequately homogenous. Linden et al. [162] developed a LED solar
simulator with an adjustable spectrum, which was easy to produce and
had a modular design. In this simulator, single and multiple solar cell
structures were used. This simulator showed A+ performance with
illumination integrity and spectral properties. Novickovas et al. [129]
designed a solar simulator consisting of 19 high-power compact LEDs
inside an AAA class test area of 5 cm. Luka et al. [163] applied external
quantum efficiency (EQE) method to LED solar simulators and showed
that it was an alternative for standard measurements. In this study,
half-second measuring time, global search and measurement without
any additional EQE testing tools show advantages. Leary et al. [164]
used Oriel-VeraSOL-LED and xenon light source Oriel-Sol3A solar
simulator of Newport's LED light source to demonstrate the IV
characteristics of the photovoltaic device, thus indicating that there is
no difference in the I-V response of the photovoltaic devices. They show
that the LED solar simulator provides the same performance with that
of a xenon light source solar simulator at 400–1100 nm wavelength.
3.7. Super continuum laser
Today, the light sources in solar simulators are typically xenon arc
lamps and LEDs. Accordingly, lamps and LEDs have a big and constant
radiation spectrum and it is hard to focus on efficient spectral area,
thus these light sources are hard to apply spectrally into efficient
measurement systems [165]. For example, LEDs can radiate to a larger
angled area compared to super continuum lasers. However, they are
insufficient in UV and IR wavelengths of the solar spectrum [166]. The
super continuum laser is a high power, broadband light source that
provides greatly improved optical compatibility for photovoltaic mate-
rials and devices [167]. Therefore, lately, high power super continuum
lasers can be considered as commercial products since they can be used
as a light source ranging from visible to infrared spectrums [168].
Lasers are powerful and easy to concentrate, but have unrealistically
narrow spectra [169]. Relatively higher-power super continuum lasers
have the potential to be used in photovoltaic measurements more
commonly [165–170]. In recent studies where super continuum lasers
were used as the light source in small regions [22,23,165–171], results
were hopeful and it is predicted that this technology will further
develop.
3.8. Multi light source solar simulator
Since the demand for high quality solar simulators in photovoltaic
panel tests is increasing, it is essential to achieve high accuracy in cell
efficiency measurements [45]. There can be some disadvantages in
solar simulator applications made using a single light source. For
example, although arc lamps work with a strong and wide-range
spectrum, they have spectral problems in the modeling of light
polarization and AM changes in multi-joint solar cells [171]. The solar
spectrum of LEDs, which have a wider spectral range compared to
lasers, should be structured as strings grouped based on wavelength
[166]. It is hard to spectrally condense lamps and LEDs using optics,
since they have wide constant angles [171]. Due to these disadvantages,
there are studies in which different light sources are used in single solar
simulators [93,172–179]. By Hoffman Electronics in the beginning of
the 1960s when the solar simulator was designed with xenon arc lamps
corresponding to the UV spectrum AM 0 and with tungsten lamps
corresponding to the IR spectrum, double light sources [180]. Namin
et al. [19] combined tungsten halogen lamps and LEDs in their study
conducted in 2012. Two 3×3 tungsten halogen lamps were placed on a
PV cell from right to left with a 26 degree slope and a blue LED was
placed perpendicularly on the PV cell, 65 cm above. In the low cost
1246
Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews 77 (2017) 1240–1250
Fig. 13. Multi-source solar simulator [45].
solar simulator design by Kim et al. [11], LEDs were used for visible
wavelengths and halogen lamps were used for UV and IR. In the study
by Guvenchy et al. [181], solar simulator design for wide range
photovoltaic cell I-V characteristic measurement, quartz halogen lamp
and metal halide lamp combination was used. For the small area Class
A solar simulator designed by Georgescu et al. [45], xenon discharge
lamps were used in the dye-sensitized solar cell test to obtain powerful
low wavelength, and tungsten halogen lamps were used to obtain IR
wavelength. In their studies they claimed that with this combination
they obtained a good spectral match. Examples of this study can be
seen in Fig. 13 [45].
4. Discussion
The review of the relevant literature demonstrates that the first
examples of solar simulators commonly used carbon arc lamps; there
were also some applications with argon arc lamps, high sodium vapor
lamps, mercury xenon and xenon arc lamps. However carbon arc,
argon arc and high sodium vapor lamps used in early space solar
simulator studies, are only included in specific studies due to their
inefficiencies today. In later solar simulation studies, xenon arc lamps
were highly preferred. Additionally, quartz- tungsten halogen lamps
were used in large scale solar simulators. In the 2000s, metal halide
lamps were also commonly observed. LED light sourced solar simulator
studies, which began in 2003, opened a new period and various studies
using LEDs started to gain speed. As LEDs are cost efficient and have
long life cycles, they are more preferred as opposed to xenon arc lamps.
As of 2011, solar simulators built with super continuum lasers started
to stand out. Super continuum lasers have the potential to be an
alternative to xenon arc lamps and LEDs. Since they cover UV and IR
spectral values which LEDs cannot directly reach, they are the light
source to be used in future applications. However, they also have some
disadvantages. For example, due to low light angles, they can only
simulate solar spectrum in small areas and their control circuits are
complicated. Scientists have chosen the light sources according to their
intended use, taking into consideration their advantages and disad-
vantages. In some studies, scientists used a second light source
overcome to the inefficient aspects of the main light source. Table 3
summarizes their advantages and disadvantages for easier comparison
of light sources.
5. Conclusions
In the solar simulator studies conducted since the 1960s to test
photovoltaic tools, scientists have preferred different light sources to
simulate sunlight. Many factors such as spectral range, life cycle, cost,
low heat, ease of use were taken into account in the selection as the
current technology allows. In this study, solar simulators were classi-
fied based on their light sources, and their history and technological
development were investigated in line with the literature. Carbon arc
V. Esen et al. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews 77 (2017) 1240–1250

Table 3 rating of photovoltaic modules including validation of procedures to implement

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