Analysis and realization of a low-cost hybrid LED-halogen solar simulator

A low-cost hybrid solar simulator which combines solid-state light sources (LEDs) with low voltage halogen lamp to produce an output beam that can closely match a desired solar spectrum is proposed and analyzed in this paper. In particular, a summary of the design and optimization procedure for spectral match is given, on the basis of the photometric values taken from data sheets and converted to the corresponding radiometric values. As an example of application, the output spectrum is preliminary compared with standard global terrestrial solar spectra air mass AM 1.5. The results of simulating spectra calculations and some experimental measurements on a solar simulator prototype are given. Experimental tests have shown the possibility of reaching the Class B of spectral matching with better than 6% spatial non-uniformity over an area of 125×125 mm².