Abstract: A solar cell testing apparatus may include an illuminator for directing light energy on a solar cell under test. The solar cell testing apparatus may also include a device for selectively positioning different filters of a multiplicity of filters in an optical path between the illuminator and the solar cell under test to at least one of measure performance and detect any defects in the solar cell. The multiplicity of filters may include a first set of filters and a second set of filters. Each filter of the first set of filters is adapted for passing a predetermined percentage of intensity of the light energy from the illuminator onto the solar cell under test. The second set of filters being adapted for testing the solar cell under different spectrums of light.

Abstract: A solar simulator including an array of lamp modules, wherein each lamp module of the array includes a lamp configured to generate light, a homogenizer having an input end and an output end, a beam divergence lens positioned to focus the light onto the input end of the homogenizer, and an imaging lens positioned to receive the light from the output end of the homogenizer and image the light onto a target plane.

Abstract: Systems and methods for identifying a location illuminated by an onboard searchlight on a vehicle are presented. A location of interest is illuminated at an illuminated location illuminated by the onboard searchlight, and a vehicle position of the vehicle and the onboard searchlight is determined. A vehicle orientation of the vehicle is determined based on a pitch, roll, and yaw of the vehicle, and an azimuth and an elevation of the onboard searchlight light is recorded to provide a recorded azimuth and elevation data. A pointing coordinate for the onboard searchlight illuminating the illuminated location is computed based on the vehicle orientation, the vehicle position, and the recorded azimuth and the elevation data, and the illuminated location is calculated based on the pointing coordinate.

Abstract: An illumination device includes a light source that emits an electromagnetic radiation input beam, a dichroic first mirror that reflects a first output beam and transmits a second output beam, a second mirror positioned to reflect the second output beam, and an absorber for absorbing radiation emitted by the light source. An adjustable support for the dichroic and second mirror is also provided and is adjustable between a first position where the first beam is transmitted and a second position where the second beam is transmitted, with the other beam being directed to the absorber.

Abstract: A solar simulator including an array of lamp modules, wherein each lamp module of the array includes a lamp configured to generate light, a homogenizer having an input end and an output end, a beam divergence lens positioned to focus the light onto the input end of the homogenizer, and an imaging lens positioned to receive the light from the output end of the homogenizer and image the light onto a target plane.

Abstract: Systems and methods for identifying a location illuminated by an onboard searchlight on a vehicle are presented. A location of interest is illuminated at an illuminated location illuminated by the onboard searchlight, and a vehicle position of the vehicle and the onboard searchlight is determined. A vehicle orientation of the vehicle is determined based on a pitch, roll, and yaw of the vehicle, and an azimuth and an elevation of the onboard searchlight light is recorded to provide a recorded azimuth and elevation data. A pointing coordinate for the onboard searchlight illuminating the illuminated location is computed based on the vehicle orientation, the vehicle position, and the recorded azimuth and the elevation data, and the illuminated location is calculated based on the pointing coordinate.

Abstract: Described herein is a method and apparatus for simulating solar light to create an ideal testing environment for solar panels and the like. The method and apparatus may also be used to test solar resistance for color fading or resistance to high levels of solar energy. The apparatus generally consists of a plurality of mirrors directed towards a multi-faceted mirror, from which the light beams converge towards a target plane. The light intensity at the target plane is, according to one embodiment, between 100 and 200 suns.

Abstract: A solar cell testing apparatus may include an illuminator for directing light energy on a solar cell under test. The solar cell testing apparatus may also include a device for selectively positioning different filters of a multiplicity of filters in an optical path between the illuminator and the solar cell under test to at least one of measure performance and detect any defects in the solar cell. The multiplicity of filters may include a first set of filters and a second set of filters. Each filter of the first set of filters is adapted for passing a predetermined percentage of intensity of the light energy from the illuminator onto the solar cell under test. The second set of filters being adapted for testing the solar cell under different spectrums of light.

Abstract: Described herein is a method and apparatus for simulating solar light to create an ideal testing environment for solar panels and the like. The method and apparatus may also be used to test solar resistance for color fading or resistance to high levels of solar energy. The apparatus generally consists of a plurality of mirrors directed towards a multi-faceted mirror, from which the light beams converge towards a target plane. The light intensity at the target plane is, according to one embodiment, between 100 and 200 suns.