Light source selection for a solar simulator for thermal applications: A review

Date published

2018-04-24

Free to read from

Supervisor/s

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

Elsevier

Department

Type

Article

ISSN

1364-0321

Format

Citation

Tawfik M, Tonnellier X, Sansom C. (2018) Light source selection for a solar simulator for thermal applications: A review. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Volume 90, July 2018, pp. 802-813

Abstract

Solar simulators are used to test components and systems under controlled and repeatable conditions, often in locations with unsuitable insolation for outdoor testing. The growth in renewable energy generation has led to an increased need to develop, manufacture and test components and subsystems for solar thermal, photovoltaic (PV), and concentrating optics for both thermal and electrical solar applications. At the heart of any solar simulator is the light source itself. This paper reviews the light sources available for both low and high-flux solar simulators used for thermal applications. Criteria considered include a comparison of the lamp wavelength spectrum with the solar spectrum, lamp intensity, cost, stability, durability, and any hazards associated with use. Four main lamp types are discussed in detail, namely argon arc, the metal halide, tungsten halogen lamp, and xenon arc lamps. In addition to describing the characteristics of each lamp type, the popularity of usage of each type over time is also indicated. This is followed by guidelines for selecting a suitable lamp, depending on the requirements of the user and the criteria applied for selection. The appropriate international standards are also addressed and discussed. The review shows that metal halide and xenon arc lamps predominate, since both provide a good spectral match to the solar output. The xenon lamp provides a more intense and stable output, but has the disadvantages of being a high-pressure component, requiring infrared filtering, and the need of a more complex and expensive power supply. As a result, many new solar simulators prefer metal halide lamps.

Description

Software Description

Software Language

Github

Keywords

Tungsten lamp, CSP, Solar simulator, Metal halide, Sunlight, Solar spectrum

DOI

Rights

Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International

Relationships

Relationships

Supplements

Funder/s