Bettering the world with data and light
G2V Optics "engineers the sun" with research-grade solar simulators that deliver unparalleled precision, enable better research, and empower our customers to change the world.
Meet Pico and Sunbrick
Small and Large Area Solar Simulators
G2V produces two solar simulators, both are research-grade class AAA, LED solar simulators built for high accuracy and precise uniformity. The pico is our small area solar simulator and the sunbrick is our large area simulator.
PicoTM
We crafted the Pico LED small area solar simulator to provide truly controllable illumination, complete with software-controlled spectra, traceable calibration, all with no bulbs, filters, or moving parts. The Pico can replicate any terrestrial or extraterrestrial solar spectra including AM1.5G, AM0 – AM40, and geography-, season-, or time-specific spectra with the click of a button.
SunbrickTM
The Sunbrick uses the same solar replication technology proven in the Pico. Using advanced LED-driven illumination, the Sunbrick makes large-area solar simulation quick and easy with no requirements for bulb replacement or field calibration. It also has minimal warm-up time. The Sunbrick can accommodate a wide range of working areas with its modular design. Whether you need illumination in a confined space or in your entire testing facility, the Sunbrick can provide the high-quality solar simulation solution you need.
One Sun-Equivalent Irradiance With Spatial Non-Uniformity < 2%
Class A Spectral Match
AM1.5G spectral match exceeds ASTM E927 requirements by a factor of 5x. Variable spectra available with presets for AM0-AM40 and capability for software-controlled spectral customization
Class A Spatial Uniformity
One sun-equivalent irradiance area of 9 cm² with spatial non-uniformity < 2%
Class A Temporal Stability
Temporal Instability of 0.2% exceeds Class A requirements by 10x
Benefits of LED Illumination
Minimal Warm-up Time
No Bulb Replacement
No Explosive Bulb Failure
No Manual Calibration
Case study
Enabling Large Area Solar Simulation for SWITCH Materials
SWITCH Materials Inc. develops switchable photochromic-electrochromic technology for integration into applications including automotive glass, architectural glass, and eyewear.
High levels of illumination combined with continuously applied electricity was one of the key conditions that SWITCH needed to test their product under. With the knowledge that their product size also impacted results, they now needed a testing facility that could test up to one square meter of product, while simultaneously controlling the temperature and illumination.
Their existing chambers weren't large enough to accommodate these larger glasses. They had three key parameters they needed to test:
- Temperature
- Illumination
- Sample size
Their existing Xenon lamps required considerable warmup time in order to generate a reliable solar spectrum, which was taking far too long for rapid development iterations. The lamps' output was also inconsistent at the best of times, degrading gradually until the bulbs were replaced. Gas discharge lamps require continuous maintenance and bulb replacement about once a year, and for the scale of the system that SWITCH required, meant the significant ongoing cost of annually replacing bulbs.
Additionally, any required tweak(s) in the spectrum meant swapping out physical filters, which was a time-consuming process SWITCH generally avoided. A key feature they were interested in was the ability to easily test different spectral conditions, because they had customers report significantly different behaviour from the glass under late-afternoon conditions.
Read a case study of a customer who purchased a 128 array of sunbricks
I would totally recommend G2V if you're looking for a solar simulator test setup for any light-sensitive materials.
- D. Lam, SWITCH Materials, VP Product Development -
What is Solar Simulation?
The main objective of solar simulation technology is to produce illumination approximating natural sunlight in order to provide a controllable indoor test facility under laboratory conditions.
Engineered Sunlight
A solar simulator is a device whose light source offers similar intensity and spectral composition to natural sunlight. Solar simulators (also called “sunlight simulators”) are scientific equipment used to replicate sunlight in controlled laboratory environments. They are essential for research and testing of products and processes that either use or are affected by sunlight – like solar cells, solar fuels, sunscreens, plastics, coatings, and other photosensitive materials.
Class AAA
Class AAA Standards for Solar Simulators Whether using an artificial illumination source for photovoltaic characterization, photochemistry
experiments, or environmental testing, correct maintenance and use of your light source will improve your experimental results. When searching for a solar simulator you will continuously come across the term “Class AAA” rating – but what does it mean? If you’re not quite sure what that is, and how it applies to your research, we have the answer.
The standards are set by governing bodies such as ASTM, IEC, and JIS and are used to determine the quality and accuracy of a solar simulator device’s illumination. The specific standards that govern solar simulation are JIS-C8912, IEC 60904-9, and ASTM-E927-10.
About G2V Optics
Creating precision lighting technologies that feed and power the world of tomorrow.
G2V Optics (G2V) was founded to apply *innovative technology and data-driven, collaborative design toward solutions* for this generation’s global issues.
Starting with the highest precision spectral replication ever produced, G2V now provides a suite of advanced lighting, monitoring, and data science products to push the boundaries of renewable energy research, material science, and modern horticulture.
When spectral precision matters for your research, let G2V Engineer the Sun™.
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