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A DIY Sun Simulator For Solar Collector Design
A DIY Sun Simulator For Solar Collector Design
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The Renewable Energy site for Do-It-Yourselfers
Home Getting Started Projects References Half Program Experimental Site Map
This version uses the same six 400 watt metal halide lights, but with each lamp getting its own dedicated commercially made
collector.
A light tunnel down stream of each collector still proves to be necessay to further direct the light to the collector.
Compared to the previous version, this one has the following advantages
It is easier to adjust the lamp to reflector geometry to get the best reflector position -- all 6 reflectors and the light tunnel
move as a unit.
There is less tendency to overheat and less forced ventilation is needed over the lamp area.
The light levels are closer to one full sun, and the evenness of the light is also better -- but neither are perfect yet.
So, its an improvement, and its probably good enough to use for actual collector testing -- but, both more intensity and better
evenness could still be used.
I'm not currently working on this project, but hope to get back to it at some point, but its going to be a while.
I'm very interested in hearing from anyone who builds a sun simulator.
https://www.builditsolar.com/Experimental/SunSim/SunSimFinalPlus.htm 1/5
10/11/2017 A DIY sun simulator for solar collector design
The 6 reflectors and the six compartment light tunnel are all one rigid assembly that sits on the plywood table below. The
whole light tunnel/reflects assembly can be slid around on the plywood surface to get the reflectors and light tunnel in exactly
the right position over the fixed metal halide lamps.
I think that this is the reflector, but I can't find a number on it or a record of my order:
https://www.1000bulbs.com/product/7826/FC85105-R100UR.html
https://www.builditsolar.com/Experimental/SunSim/SunSimFinalPlus.htm 2/5
10/11/2017 A DIY sun simulator for solar collector design
https://www.builditsolar.com/Experimental/SunSim/SunSimFinalPlus.htm 3/5
10/11/2017 A DIY sun simulator for solar collector design
Looking down the light tunnel towards the reflector -- a collectors eye view.
https://www.builditsolar.com/Experimental/SunSim/SunSimFinalPlus.htm 4/5
10/11/2017 A DIY sun simulator for solar collector design
All 6 reflectors are mounted in a wood frame with adhesive. The light tunnel is built onto the front of this frame.
Comments/Questions?...
Gary
June 2, 2015
https://www.builditsolar.com/Experimental/SunSim/SunSimFinalPlus.htm 5/5