R E P R O D U C I B L E R E S U L T S

Simulation of natural sunlight

Solar simulation carried out with Hönle

SOL units deliver reproducible results,

which are an effective comparison to

tests in natural sunlight. Our newly de-

veloped bulbs enable SOL units to pro-

duce light, which is extremely close to

natural sunlight.

Spectral distribution of SOL units

The light spectrum is produced by special

metal halide bulbs. Metal halides her-

metically sealed inside the bulb are va-

porised by an electric arc and generate a

spectrum, which is close to that of natu-

ral sunlight.

Climatic chamber with 9 SOL 2000

Tests with sunlight have to be carried out

in accordance with international ac-

cepted standards, e.g. CIE 20 or DIN

75220. SOL units are used in many bran-

ches of industry.

In the biotechnology sector "SOL 500" is

specified in the simulation test standards.

(Colipa specification).

Spectral distribution of SOL units in comparison with natural sunlight D65

Range of applications

• Tests on textiles, wood, leather and

painted or varnished surfaces

• Accelerated sunlight ageing of plas-

tics

• Performance monitoring of thermal

solar cells

• Integration into multi-purpose cli-

matic chambers for simultaneous

light, humidity and temperature

testing.

SOL modular lamp unit

SOL 500/1200/2000:

Perfect for accelerated ageing

The radiation efficiency of SOL units in

the ultraviolet and visible range (295 –

780 nm) is close to 44 %. Consequently,

the intensity is much higher than that

found in the natural environment. This

allows material testing to be done much

faster and under standard, reproducible

conditions.

Industry Standards recommend intensity

values of 800 up to 1200 W/m², which is

between 6 and 9 times higher than natu-

ral sunlight. (German average sunlight is

135 W/m² as measured by the German

Meteorological Service in Potsdam).

Large size solar simulation

SOL units 500, 1200, and 2000 are suit-

able for solar simulation equipment

where large areas are irradiated. A special

computer programme at Hönle calculates

the optimum geometrical position of

each of the units, which guaranties a

uniform intensity distribution at the test

surface.

The high efficiency, combined with long

working hours of the Hönle metal halide

bulbs makes solar simulation with SOL

units economically attractive.

Climatic chamber with 24 SOL 1200

The picture above shows a climatic

chamber with 24 "SOL 1200" incorporated

into the ceiling of a cell with a test area of

3.5m x 2.5 m.

High quality filter glasses protect SOL

units from humidity and temperatures

inside the chamber and avoid undesirable

interaction between the bulbs and exter-

nal contaminants. By simply adding an-

other filter glass, outdoor irradiation can

be changed to indoor irradiation (or vice

versa).

Please contact us if you require more

detailed advice on complete systems for

solar, temperature, and humidity testing.