1.1 This classification provides means for assessing the suitability of solar simulators for indoor electrical performance testing of photovoltaic cells and modules, that is, for measurement current-voltage curves under artificial illumination.

1.2 Solar simulators are classified according to their ability to reproduce a reference spectral irradiance distribution (see Tables G138 and E490), the uniformity of total irradiance across the test plane, and the stability of total irradiance over time.

1.3 A solar simulator usually consists of three major components: (1) light source(s) and associated power supplies; (2) optics and filters required to modify the irradiance at the test plane; and (3) controls to operate the simulator, including irradiance adjustment.

1.4 This classification is applicable to both pulsed and steady-state solar simulators.

1.5 Many solar simulators also include integral data acquisition systems for photovoltaic performance testing; these data acquisition systems are outside of the scope of this classification.

1.6 Light